Eircell to switch off phone mast pending hearing

EIRCELL has undertaken to switch off a controversial mobile phone mast near New Ross in Co Wexford pending the hearing of legal…

EIRCELL has undertaken to switch off a controversial mobile phone mast near New Ross in Co Wexford pending the hearing of legal proceedings next week.

At the High Court yesterday, Mr Justice Budd was told that a number of named protesters had also undertaken until next Thursday to remove signs and placards from the site of the mast - at Berkeley - and to refrain from interfering with Eircell's access to the site.

Eircell is permitted to make the plant safe by erecting fencing at the base station which, it was stated, had become operational earlier this week.

The court was dealing with an application by Eircell for an interlocutory injunction - pending the outcome of legal proceedings - to prevent interference with the use of the site. The interlocutory application was adjourned until Thursday for mention when the court is expected to fix a date for an early hearing of the case.

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A temporary injunction granted to Eircell against any unnamed protesters with notice of the making of the order preventing interference is to continue.

Protests have been going on at the site for several months by objectors to Eircell's plan to build the mast and base station at Berk eley, on the main New Ross-Enniscorthy road.

During yesterday's hearing it was stated on behalf of the named protesters that they were questioning ownership of the right of way into the site of the station, and were claiming that two conditions of planning permission for the development had not been complied with when an interim injunction was sought last week.

Eircom disputes those claims. These matters are to be dealt with at the future hearing.