An Taisce objects to 'Las Vegas-style' plan for Tipperary casino

AN TAISCE has objected to what it called a “Las Vegas-style” casino planned for the village of Two-Mile-Borris, Co Tipperary, which it says is based on a “failed international development model”.

Its heritage officer Ian Lumley, who has written to North Tipperary County Council objecting to the plan, said the development “couldn’t be more inappropriate”.

Local Independent TD Michael Lowry defended the “ground-breaking ‘green’ project”  which was “very sensitive to the environment” and would create thousands of jobs. “It is clear that An Taisce has not examined the plans in detail,” he said.

Developer Richard Quirke, a former garda who runs Dr Quirkey’s Good Time Emporium – a gaming hall on O’Connell Street, Dublin – has sought planning permission for the €460 million project called The Tipperary Venue.

The proposed development, on an 800-acre site, includes a 6,000sq m casino; a full-scale replica of the White House; a 500-bedroom five-star hotel; an entertainment complex with seating for 15,000 people; an all-weather racecourse; a greyhound track; a golf course; parking for 8,000 cars and a “major” heliport.

Mr Quirke has the support of Coolmore Stud and leading trainer Aidan O’Brien.

An Taisce has taken issue with Mr O’Brien’s belief that the “mind-blowing” project would benefit the “exchequer and the economy” by attracting “the high-rolling people who fly from country to country”.

Mr Lumley said tourism based on “long-haul air trips and short stays in Ireland is doomed to fail”.

He claims “the 26 existing racecourses in Ireland represent the highest per capita ratio of racecourse numbers to population in the world”.

He added: “If there is an argument for providing an indoor racing track,” this should be created “at an existing racecourse”.

An Taisce also believes that “the sustainability of the proposal is entirely undermined by the provision of 8,000 car-parking spaces” and the greater use of helicopters, which would lead to increased “greenhouse gas emissions”.

North Tipperary County Council is due to issue a decision next week. A delay is likely, as a request for further information is thought to be imminent.