Communities vow to fight on after review clears way for Interconnector project
Landowners are heading for a major stand-off with EirGrid after last week's independent expert review on the North-South Interconnector, cleared the way for the controversial project. Local farmers and communities may be on an unavoidable collision course with EirGrid and ESB Networks, with the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign warning the issue is heading "for a very confrontational stage."
Farmers will be to the forefront in the battle ahead. "We have no intention of granting access to EirGrid or ESB, and without access how can they construct it?," said Nobber farmer, Ger Brady.
"Everybody I have spoken to is agreed. The longer this has gone on, the more determined people have become."
Bective farmer, Michael Lally also vowed to fight the proposal. "Our main concern is the health risks to ourselves, our future generations, our staff and our cattle.
"We would be working underneath or in close proximity to these lines every day," he said.
NEPPC said communities along the route are resolved to fight. "Nobody can argue that resorting to using thousands of tonnes of steel and concrete and displacing some of the best soils in the country is the way forward," said spokesperson, Padraig O'Reilly.