A controversial telecommunications mast near Glenbeigh on the Ring of Kerry has been given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála, despite "100 per cent local opposition", according to a submission to the board by Minister for Arts John O'Donoghue.
There have been several public protests by parents, school children and local residents to the proposal. A second mast at nearby Kells, also on the Ring of Kerry, has been refused by the planning appeals board.
Kerry County Council had refused permission for the 18m (59ft) high Vodafone Ireland mast at Curaheen, Glenbeigh on the grounds it was less than one kilometre from residential properties, and the mast was not being shared by other operators.
The county development plan prohibits masts near dwellings. Four dwellings are within 250m (820ft) of the site.
Vodafone appealed the council's refusal, saying it was unlikely that any site could be found that was not within one kilometre of a dwelling.
Observations were submitted from An Taisce and local residents, as well as Mr O'Donoghue who wrote on behalf of a resident. The residents said there were no problems with reception in the area and the mast in the scenic area was completely unnecessary.
The appeals board granted permission for five years. It said the mast location was not in an area of special amenity protected by the county development plan. However, the board has stipulated that Vodafone must allow other licensed operators to share the use of the mast to avoid proliferation of telecommunications structures in the area.
A second appeal by Vodafone Ireland against refusal for a mast at Bouleragh, Kells, on an elevated site in an area of special amenity, also on the Ring of Kerry, was refused by the board.
Some 25 local residents objected on the grounds the 18m mast was too close to dwellings and would ruin the scenic character of the area.