Protesters opposing the M3 motorway were today locked in a tense stand-off with the authorities after a woman chained herself inside a tunnel at the site.
Campaigners against the controversial road scheme fear latest works will destroy the national monument of Rath Lugh, an ancient promontory fort within the Tara complex.
A protestor is dragged away by a garda during clashes at the M3 motorway site at Rath Lugh in Co Meath Photo: PA
But while officials claimed construction workers were setting up a boundary to protect the fort, demonstrators feared the work of heavy machinery in the vicinity could collapse the tunnel holding the lone protester.
Supporter Debbie Reilly said the Dublin psychology student entered the man-made tunnel last Thursday and chained her neck to a jack. She said she is refusing to leave until maps regarding a preservation order are enforced for the site, and proposed plans by developers, are released.
"She is demanding the national attention that this needs. She's putting herself in the same danger this monument is in. It's quite symbolic," said Ms Reilly.
Protestors claim neither the Department of the Environment nor the Land Registry have been able to supply detailed maps of the protected zone, adding that works have already damaged some of the ancient area.
Ms Reilly said the student, known only as Squeak, moved in to a cavity at the end of a 20 metre tunnel with enough supplies to last two months, including books, a saxophone and a fan.
Five more activists have chained themselves to obstacles at the entrance of the tunnel, while clashes today resulted in the arrest of three campaigners.
Sean O'Neill, of the National Roads Authority, stressed construction would not be taking place inside the buffer zone, however workers were erecting a fence around the area.
"The protestors are doing their job, but unfortunately they are actually tunnelling into the buffer zone which is there to protect Rath Lugh," he said. "They may be causing significant problems to the area that's there to be protect Rath Lugh.
"The contractor is well within his right to take responsibility for safety in the area and to request the protestors to calmly leave."