A protest meeting has been held in Trim, Co Meath, over plans to route a major new electrical power line through the county.
EirGrid, which is responsible for the electricity grid, says the plan, to facilitate cross-border sharing of power supplies, is essential to ensure energy supplies into the future.
The 'Meath Pylon Pressure' group is concerned about exposure to electro magnetic radiation from the power lines and the visual impact of the pylons, which it claims will affect thousands of people.
Spokesman Francis Lally says international studies show that being near to power lines increases the risk of cancer, miscarriage and childhood leukaemia.
He says tonight's meeting is the start of a long battle, which could end up in the courts.
The group says there is a need for action to safeguard electricity supplies but says the power lines could be run underground.
The Meath to Cavan power line is one of two projects being planned by EirGrid.
The 58km line will tie in with the proposed cross border interconnector between Cavan and Tyrone.
A public consultation process on three proposed routes for the line is underway.
The project will start at Batterstown, south of Trim, and run to Kingscourt in Co Cavan.
EirGrid says the final route will be chosen based on public feedback and further studies early next year.
The operator says there is no conclusive evidence that exposure to power lines has an adverse effect of the public health.
