TARA FOR NOW

Fourteen protesters against the motorway development at the Hill Of Tara, Ireland (See SchNEWS 585), have had their cases dismissed in Trim District Court. Most cases arose from the ‘Battle Of Soldiers Hill’, on July 18th last year (See SchNEWS 597), where seven were arrested after being on the end of violence from security during some digger diving to prevent the road-building.

The protesters’ defence in court was that they had a lawful excuse to stop the road building which was illegal under EU directives. The judge questioned the Gardai as to whether they’d asked the protesters if they believed they had a lawful reason, and Gardai admitted they had failed to. After the Gardai and Siac/Ferrovial security gave contradictory evidence, it seems the judge decided to drop the cases, and avoid any unnecessary scrutiny into the illegality of the road.

There is still a protest camp – the Vigil Camp - and direct action at the site, despite the fact that a lot of the destruction has happened, and the road could be finished some time next year. A decade-long campaign has been waged to stop this road and the desecration of land near the ancient monument, with protest camps and direct action since the summer of 2007. The Vigil Camp are still inviting all to come to the site and take part. 

* For Vigil Camp see www.tarapixie.net

* For more info about the protests see www.savetara.com

* On August 30th there will be a Heritage Week event at the Hill Of Tara