A new group opposed to the building of a motorway in Co Meath has promised "to do almost anything" it can to stop it going through the Tara/Skreen valley, Elaine Keogh reports.
The motorway is the proposed 60-kilometre link from Clonee to north of Kells, Co Meath, which will bypass Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells.
Organised by the Carrickminders, the group says its Save Tara Campaign is gathering support among other groups and individuals who objected at the An Bord Pleanála oral hearing to the motorway getting the green light.
They are concerned at the damage that will be caused to the larger Tara region and not just the Hill of Tara, the traditional seat of the Irish high kings.
Archaeologist and lecturer Dr Conor Newman said he believes the archaeological works carried out as part of the route selection have revealed data suggesting the remains of what would be the only Roman temple in Ireland may be near Tara.
"His submission to the An Bord Pleanála hearing was very powerful, and we believe that the environmental impact assessment is fundamentally flawed as it did not take the archaeology of the area properly into consideration. We think the EIS should be tested in the court," said spokesman Mr Vincent Salafia.
A strategy for the campaign was outlined yesterday. The group may seek a judicial review of An Bord Pleanála's decision; inquire if the National Monuments Act would include the Tara/Skreen valley; object to the road at EU level or lobby to get the area declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.