FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN IS LAUNCHED

AT THURSDAY’S public meeting about the Ballymanus Wind Farm application, a fundraising campaign to cover the cost of potential High Court Action was launched.

South Wicklow Wind Action Group (SWWAG) appealed to all concerned local residents opposed to the wind farm to contribute.

SWWAG’s PRO, Richard More O’Ferrall, said that the group believes the plans can be stopped but fears that ABO Wind Ireland Ltd will take a High Court case if refused by An Bord Pleanála this time.

‘We have been working very hard to overcome these issues and the set-back distance is still not far enough from where we live. We are sure that it will go to An Bord Pleanála this time and when that time comes, we will need professional advice,’ he said.

He outlined that a sum of €15,000– €25,000 would be required to get into the High Court, and from there costs could run to more than €50,000.

The SWWAG fundraising campaign is calling on residents to donation €350 per year, for three years, approximately €1 per day, or whatever they can afford.

It was outlined that a team of collectors will be going door to door in the coming weeks to ask people to pledge funds, that a Go Fund Me page will be set up and a variety of fundraising events will take place.

Should the group succeed in putting a stop to the plans before any court proceedings, then the money will be returned.

‘It is important to have community backing,’ he said.