Esat says it was told antenna can be erected in Kerrykeel

A fresh conflict has arisen about whether the Department of Justice gave Esat Digifone the go-ahead to place an antenna on the mobile phone mast at Kerrykeel, Co Donegal.

Six days after the work was halted to secure Mr Harry Blaney's vote on the Budget, the company is claiming that it was told by senior officials yesterday the antenna could be placed on the mast at a time suitable operationally for the Garda Siochana.

A spokesman for the Department denied that any such assurance was given to Esat Digifone yesterday, saying it was agreed to have further consultations about difficult sites.

The new confusion is expected to reawaken tensions among the four Independent TDs who support the minority Coalition.

They seemed to have been placated by the Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, after a meeting to discuss the controversy earlier yesterday.

The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, told Opposition parties in the Dail that the contract with Esat Digifone would continue to be binding on him.

Amid allegations of political interference in the Garda, Mr O'Donoghue said he was asked to contact Mr Blaney, the Donegal North East Independent, last Wednesday morning.

"When I contacted Deputy Blaney he explained to me that a large number of gardai had arrived in Kerrykeel to ensure that the erection of the Garda mast and antennae would proceed that day. A number of local residents, including women and children, were there intending to resist, there was considerable agitation and clearly the potential for conflict.

"Deputy Blaney requested that the matter be resolved and said that he did not propose to attend the Dail that day unless he had an assurance that the erection of the mast and antennae would not proceed," the Minister stated.

"Because conflict seemed likely, in which women and children would have been involved, I contacted the secretary-general of my Department and asked him to convey my concerns to the Garda Commissioner and my view that action on the erection of the mast and antennae should be halted."

Mr O'Donoghue stated, during heated exchanges, that consultations were taking place between his Department and Esat. "I do not believe that it would be right at this time to speculate about the likely outcome of these discussions."

After meeting the secretary-general, Mr Tim D'Alton of Esat Digifone said the contract would be honoured by all parties.

Asked if any specific assurances were given about the antenna at Kerrykeel, two different representatives of Esat Digifone said they were told by the Department that the placing of the antenna would go ahead at a time to be agreed with the Garda for operational reasons.