Heritage campaigners yesterday backed a decision to block the building of a wind farm overlooking the pilgrimage island of Lough Derg in Co Donegal.
An Taisce welcomed An Bord Pleanála's decision to refuse permission for 12 turbines on the primary grounds of its impact on the island.
The application by Hibernian Wind Power Ltd, an ESB subsidiary, had been granted permission by Donegal County Council, which had been appealed by An Taisce.
The site was on the ridge of the plateau running along the northern side of Lough Derg.
An An Taisce spokesman said the grounds of An Bord Pleanála's refusal were its location in an elevated position overlooking Lough Derg and the fact that the development would be a visually obtrusive feature which would adversely affect the tranquillity and setting of Lough Derg.
The planning appeals board also found the proposed development would seriously harm views from Station Island and the nearby quay, which are of special amenity value and interest, as designated in the 2000 Donegal Development Plan, the spokesman said.
An Taisce said the decision by Donegal County Council to grant permission for the facility showed a failure to comply with its development plans.
The body also raised concerns about the inadequacy of the wind energy guidelines of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in providing a strategic framework for wind-energy development in Ireland.
Station Island, the location of the pilgrimage, is often referred to as St Patrick's Purgatory.