Sir, - I would like to thank Tim O`Brien for his sensitive reportage of the Glen O Downs debacle. However, I have concerns that his article of March 14th may have given the impression that the Glen campaign is over.
The campaign to save the trees in the Glen is ongoing. It has gathered momentum due to the imprisonment of four campaigners who, refusing to undertake not to trespass on Wicklow County Council lands, are incarcerated without a trial date. There is no precedent to provide legal aid for such a protest, thus their case is in judicial review until such time as they can get legal aid. They do not enjoy the presumption of innocence given to people with more resources.
At its meeting with Duchas, the campaign underlined that it will not negotiate with Duchas until these people are freed. The campaign handed letters of protest and intent to the Duchas representative, which demanded a review of Ms Sile De Valera's decision to close these lands to the public on December 21st, 1999. The campaign also underlined the fact that this decision is both unenforceable and illegal. The petitions and letters of protest have been signed by members of the public who continue to visit the lands at the Glen of The Downs.
The Glen campaign cannot and will not abandon its belief that the Government does not have a sensitive coherent policy on environment, and it intends to make this an electoral issue. The campaign wishes to thank Trevor Sargent, John Gormley, the legal team and others who have attempted to highlight the civil rights issues of this case, and have given their time to visiting the prisons and talking to Tony, Diane, Hugh, Dominic and Michael. - Yours, etc.,
Chris Murray, Sandymount, Dublin 4.