An intense road, house and railway-building programme has upset a small Co Westmeath community living in one of the most scenic parts of the midlands.
The majority of families living in Killentown, between Multyfarnham and Crookedwood, are threatening to take one of their neighbours to court over the reopening of a limestone quarry in their area.
The massive road and other developments in the midlands have meant that small quarries which have lain idle for decades have now become valuable commodities. One such quarry is located in Killentown, overlooking one of the most beautiful waterways in the area, Lough Patrick, which local people believe is under threat.
Recently, the owner of the quarry, Mr Shay Boyhan, told Westmeath County Council, through a consultant, that he intended to reopen the limestone quarry at Killentown.
Locals said it was only six months since they forced the county council to close down operations at the quarry because of noise, pollution and lack of planning permission. They added that as the quarry did not predate 1963, it would require full planning permission before it went into operation at any level.
During the week, the locals added, heavy machinery was moved into the quarry and mining operations were already started. However, no stone has been removed from the site, even though stone has been taken from the quarry face and is being crushed on site.
A spokesman for Westmeath County Council said last week it was not aware that heavy equipment had been moved in and it promised to investigate. He said Mr Boyhan had told it he did not require planning permission for the work which was to be carried out. However, the spokesman said, that would depend on how large the operation at the plant was going to be. A farmer could remove small quantities of stone for personal use but larger commercial activities would require planning permission.
A spokesman for the residents said they were unhappy with the attitude of the council which had forced the closure of the plant six months ago when it appeared to have been leased to an outside contractor.
"We want to see the planning Acts enforced and we have provided the evidence that there was no quarry there before 1963 and that there is intense mining activity there now," said the spokesman. "We are consulting a lawyer this week because it appears that the council do not want to take action against this operator, even though they should be acting for us and for the people of the county. I think someone is playing silly buggers with us and we do not know what is going on. There is no way that unplanned activities should be allowed there." Attempts to contact Mr Boyhan for a comment were unsuccessful this week.
Earlier this week, farmers from all over the midlands att ended an information meeting arranged by the Irish Farmers' Association in Portlaoise, to discuss the difficulties they face when land is purchased compulsorily for road and other development.
It is estimated that at least 10,000 acres of farmland, much of it in midland counties, will be "CPOed" by the National Roads Authority and Bord Gais over the next six years.