WORKMEN MOVE IN AT CARRICKMINES SITE

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday September 09, 2002 16:56 by Graham Caswell

Fianna Fail TD Barry Andrews declares support

As work began this morning on a fence around the ruins at the Carrickmines archaeological site, protestors accused the Minister of "deliberately misleading the public" Phone the Carrickminers at 086-8146077

Ruadhan MacEoin, spokesman for the group, explained today that "On Saturday Minister Seamus Brennan stated that 90% of the site will be preserved. According to the NRA, the minister has not yet informed them of his decision on the issue, but if 90% of the site is to be preserved, the existing plans surely cannot be going ahead."

Why then has work stared today? Was there ever any real reconsideration or was the Minister deliberately misleading the public".

The group says news supporters include Fianna Fail TD Barry Andrews who visited the site last week. "Initially he was reluctant to sign the petition, but after spending an hour touring the remains, he not only signed but was willing to be quoted as declaring his support for the protest and will, he said, be talking to the minister."

'Experts and the public have shown magnanimous support for this protest. This contrasts sharply with the government's own attitude - which seems to put the Weak into Heritage Week!"

MacEoin said the protestors "are also very grateful for the anonymous food parcels that are being dropped in and the attendance at the site of people from all walks of life over the weekend."

'We believe that if the minister proceeds with the existing plans, he will be in direct contravention of both European and Irish law."