A Connemara archaeologist has criticised the Department of Environment for failing to protect national monuments, following damage to a 17th-century fort on the Aran island of Inis Mór.
Mr Michael Gibbons said that damage to the fort's wall, caused by a bulldozer clearing an adjoining site, was the third and most serious incidence of damage to the fort, known as Arkin Castle.
The damage to the north-west section of the castle was caused within the last month, Mr Gibbons said, and he has submitted a report to the Office of Public Works.
Galway County Council confirmed yesterday that planning permission for a dwelling house on the site next to the archaeological complex was granted on May 19th, 2003. However, Mr Gibbons said that this breaks "all the rules and regulations", as no prior archaeological investigation had been carried out.
The Department of the Environment said it is investigating the matter. A spokesman said that there was no set distance separating a monument from planning applications on adjoining land, but each application was assessed individually.
The Cromwellian castle at Cill Einne on Inis Mór marks the entrance to the "port of Aran" and the former garrison stands over the remains of a medieval harbour on the island.
The location encompasses 12 centuries of history, as Arkin Castle was built on the remains of an Elizabethan fort, which was built on top of a medieval castle owned at various times by the O'Brien and O'Flaherty clans.
Predating the O'Brien/ O'Flaherty castle was a Franciscan abbey, which was constructed on the foundations of St Enda's monastery - the saint after whom Cill Einne is named. St Enda is reputed to have sailed into Cill Einne in a stone boat from Connemara, and the angel then opened up the harbour to him.
Mr Gibbons said the lack of protection for a designated national monument highlighted the need to strengthen archaeological services at local level.
"The Minister for the Environment has committed himself to this, but it needs to be carried out if further irreparable damage is not caused," he said.
The incident highlights the worst fears of archaeologists who have criticised the Government's decision to break up Dúchas, and redeploy its staff to the Department of the Environment and the Office of Public Works. Ironically, Dúchas staff have been employed on Inis Mór.
