"Our intelligence has been insulted. They think they can come in here and walk all over us. But they are not dealing with the islanders of 100 years ago any more."
The words of the Achill Island postmaster, Mr Michael O'Malley, yesterday as the protest continued over the transfer of a long-serving garda to the mainland following his intervention in the construction of an Esat Digifone transmission mast and base station at Keel.
"We are not unreasonable people, but we expect a level of accountability and respect for the law from those charged with administering it in Dublin," Ms Martina Calvey, spokeswoman for the Keel residents, said, as 10 residents maintained a picket outside the closed Garda station. "We are a happy family here, and we want our garda back," her father, Mr Martin Calvey, said.
The dispute, yet another chapter in the continuing controversy over the link-up between the Garda Siochana and Esat Digifone and the wider issue of the effects of non-ionising radiation, began last week when attempts were made to erect the new system at Keel Garda station.
A protest by islanders over alleged breaches in planning and health and safety legislation during the construction resulted in the dispatch of 18 gardai to remove them.
Fuel was added to the fire when the islanders, some of whom had chained themselves to part of the new mast, became aware that their own policeman, Garda Peadar Howley, was to be transferred to Westport because of his association with the controversy.
Up to 300 people were involved in the protest at one point last Thursday, including 14 pregnant women and several children. A petition signed by 1,000 people is being sent to the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, and the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue.
It is understood that the decision to transfer Garda Howley was taken as a result of inquiries he had made about the location of the system being installed at his station. Although Esat is exempt from seeking planning permission for masts at Garda stations, on security grounds, the current planning Act states that masts must be 10 metres from the curtilage of another property. The base station is three metres from the boundary with adjoining private property.
In addition, the new mast was 10 ft higher than regulated for. When this fact was pointed out to construction workers, they sawed off a section before attempting to erect it.
Garda Howley, who made headlines when he was photographed in waders carrying a divorce referendum ballot box from Inishbiggle to the mainland due to lack of a ferry, was unavailable for comment yesterday. However, it is understood he was handed his transfer papers last Thursday.
Declan Howley (17), the garda's son, said his family had been "greatly disturbed and annoyed" as his father had been on the island for 34 years.
The Garda Press Office has said Garda Howley's transfer is temporary, but the islanders question this and are seeking a guarantee in writing that he will be reinstated at Keel without disciplinary action. They refuse to allow Esat Digifone to move equipment from the Garda station site until they receive this confirmation.
However, they have said they have no objection to erection of a mast to service the existing internal Garda telecommunications system.
Their concerns are backed up by a safety consultant, Mr Patrick Corrigan, who says the Garda Commissioner is in breach of at least three provisions of the 1989 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act.