An application by the ESB for an injunction restraining some local landowners from interfering with the erection of a 38kv overhead electricity line for a wind farm development near Bantry, Co Cork, will resume in the High Court today.
Mr Justice Frank Clarke began hearing the application yesterday afternoon, and said he would conclude today. He indicated he would reserve judgment and give it later this week.
The ESB claims the delay in erecting the line has cost it €800,000, and there are no safety implications arising from its decision to put the line over rather than under the ground. Putting it underground would cost about four times more.
Joe Burke, of Bantry Concern Action Group, has told the court his members want the line to go underground for safety reasons.
The company wants the injunction to restrain the objectors from preventing it entering their lands at Dromourneen, near Bantry, for the purpose of erecting the electricity line. The proceedings are against five defendants: Mary Keane, John Keane, Susan Kingston, John Kingston and Tadgh Coughlan.
The court has heard that Ballybane Wind Farms Ltd received planning permission for a wind farm electricity-generating station at Glanta Commons, and had entered into a formal connection agreement with ESB for the building of a 38kv line which would carry electricity from Glanta Commons to Ballylickey transformer station.
The ESB says the length of the 38kv line across the defendants' property will be 1,145m, and consist of seven wood-pole structures and one steel angle mast to carry the three conductor wires.
Planning permission granted by the council for the line was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by Bantry Concerned Action Group. On January 11th, 2005, the board rejected the appeal and upheld the granting of permission.