Families set to lose their homes to make way for an extension to the runway of Derry Airport have pledged to fight the proposal.
Derry City Council has voted to extend the runway following a recommendation from a sub-committee. Councillors said they had no alternative but to give the green light for the work which could cost up to £30 million. Ryanair had threatened to pull out unless it had a longer runway.
The extra 400 metres of runway at the council-owned airport means 17 family homes in Eglinton will have to go to make way for the extension.
The residents staged a protest outside the Guildhall meeting, saying they did not believe the council had fully considered all the alternatives. They said up to 60 people could be forced out of their homes.
Threatening to fight through the courts to save their homes, residents' spokesman Mr Kieran O'Brien said: "We are gutted, this is very emotional, we are just ordinary working men but we will take it as far as we can.
"No doubt this will run and run, but we will try and take it all the way we can - should it take everything we have."
He claimed that throughout the decision-making process they had been kept in the dark by the council. There were alternatives to demolishing their homes, such as extending the runway at the other end.
"Their minds were made up months ago. They're not listening to any arguments. They've put forward proposals to suit themselves and our views haven't been taken on board."
Another angry resident said: "They are taking part of my farm - it's going to leave my farm unviable." - (PA)