Blockade halts Clare council tests on possible landfill site

A human blockade yesterday prevented Clare County Council representatives from gaining access to lands in the parish of Kilmaley…

A human blockade yesterday prevented Clare County Council representatives from gaining access to lands in the parish of Kilmaley as the dispute over the council's plans to locate a new central landfill site for the county intensified.

The council wants to carry out site investigations to determine if the short-listed Gortaganniv Cappalea location at Kilmaley is suitable for the new landfill.

However, a group of more than 60 local people yesterday morning prevented the council's heavy machinery from entering the lands and a standoff ensued for two hours before the council representatives withdrew.

In solidarity with the Kilmaley community, four councillors joined the protest as the numbers increased to some 200.

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Supporting the protest, the parish priest, Father Pat McLaughlin, said from the protest site: "As well as causing worry and anxiety in the parish, the crisis brought about by the council's plans has generated so much unity and sacrifice within the community."

A spokesman for Clare County Council said yesterday the protests were regrettable. The council was seeking legal advice.

He added: "It must be stressed that we are at a very early stage in the process. What we hope to carry out are preliminary site investigations. In regard to the areas of archaeological significance, that is not a live issue as we will not be carrying out any work near them and they will in no way be affected."

Last month the council was granted a court order at a special sitting of Ennis District Court to enter the lands at the Kilmaley site.