Cllrs probe identity of development plan challenger

Two Meath county councillors have sought information one of the five companies which made an application in the High Court for a judicial review of the Meath county development plan which came into force last November.

Fianna Fail Cllr Tommy Reilly and Cllr Sharon Tolan of Fine Gael had asked the question at the July meeting of the council. Cllr Reilly said it was hard to understand how a judicial review could be taken by Protect East Meath when there was no named person in the application before the court.

Council legal advisor Rory McEntee said that the company involved was a legal entity and could not be forced to disclose who the beneficial owners are or who is behind it. The company had taken other cases, he said.

Cllr Reilly said that the names of that person or persons would be in the company registration office. Mr McEntee said that it could be ascertained who the directors are but because a person is listed as a director might mean that they are a “shadow director”.

Cllr Tolan asked whether it had been disclosed in the judicial review proceedings whether the people behind Protect East Meath was an individual or group of individuals. She said the public were entitled to know who was objecting.

Mr McEntee again replied that Protect East Meath was a legal entity and a legal entity was entitled to make an objection.

Public information on Protect East Meath discloses that it was set up on 17th February 2011 and has a registered address at Riverside Cottages, Julianstown. Its principal activity is listed as business and management consultancy activities.