Appeal as wetlands action is dismissed

The coastal campaigner Karin Dubsky complained in the High Court yesterday that works aimed at creating alternative feeding grounds for wild birds on the estuary of the River Boyne, an internationally important ornithological wetland, have not been properly carried out.

Mr Justice Kelly said the measures being carried out by Drogheda Port Company (DPC) were to the satisfaction of Duchas, the national parks and wildlife service, and he refused to grant orders sought by Ms Dubsky, who is co-ordinator of Coastwatch Ireland. He awarded costs against Ms Dubsky.

Later yesterday, Mr John Peart SC, for Ms Dubsky, told the Supreme Court she wished to appeal, and he sought an early date for a hearing. Mr Justice Barrington said they could apply for a date when the legal papers were submitted. He could not guarantee an early hearing.

Coastwatch Ireland and DPC have been in dispute for some months on the environmental parameters of the port's dredging programme, which involves taking about a million tonnes of sand and gravel from the river channel and dumping it into an area known as Stagreenan polder.

DPC rejected the claims and said the works complied with the court order and were approved by Duchas. It said the soil was not being dumped on a feeding area but was being stored in a landfill area pending removal.