Windfarm objectors meet €12k cost to begin legal action

SLIABH Luachra Windfarm Awareness Group has met with a legal firm in Dublin to begin its fight against a proposed windfarm in Gneeveguilla.

€12,000 had to raised within days to engage a legal team to take the fight against the 12 proposed wind turbines to the High Court and this target has been met.

Funds came from the local community and from supporters in the US as well as anonymous donations from the community.

In total, €120,000 will have to be raised for the legal action and a major fundraising drive is underway within the local community, who are determined to fight the proposed windfarm to the bitter end.

Almost 150 people attended a public meeting last week to discuss the next step in their fight against the development which residents believe will destroy their local community and it was agreed to take a judicial review to the High court.

Kerry County Council had refused planning for the windfarm but this was appealed to An Bord Pleanála and they granted planning for 12 turbines - some of which are close to home within the community.

There was a lot of anger at the meeting last week some of which was directed towards Independent TD, Danny Healy Rae, over his company’s involvement in other windfarm projects.

Spokesperson for Sliabh Luachra Windfarm Awareness group, Fred O’Sullivan said this week that progress had been made.

“The legal team are confident and have requested the file form An Bord Plenála. They will have to lodge papers by the end of January,” he explained.

“There are 50 groups around the country in the same position and we have great strength in the community.”

Some major fund-raisers are being organised to raise the rest of the funds for the lengthy legal battle.

A website at www.slwag. com has been set up and a Go Fund Me Page is also taking donations and has already raised almost €10,000.

Organisers and some of the crowd at the meeting to highlight concerns over a proposed windfarm in Gneeveguilla last Monday.