The High Court is expected to hear an application today by a resident living near the proposed new prison site at Thornton Hall, north Co Dublin, for leave for consultants hired by local people to carry out a survey on the lands.
The application is to be made by Richard Merne, of Kilsallaghan, who lives about 100 metres from the boundary of the Thornton site.
He is already taking a judicial review as to the suitability of the site.
Today's action represents an escalation by locals of their campaign to oppose the building of the proposed "mega-prison" in their area.
Speaking on behalf of Rolestown/St Margaret's Action Group yesterday, Teresa McDonnell claimed that the State only started proper geophysical surveys of the Thornton Hall site within the past 10 days.
Ms McDonnell said this was indicative of the State "working backwards" following the initial "rushed job in site selection".
Local people say that the €29.9 million to be paid for the site is far in excess of what the 150 acres of agricultural land is worth.
Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins has said he will be tabling a motion when the Dáil resumes asking that the issue be examined by the Comptroller and Auditor General before the sale closes.
On Friday a booklet is to be published by the Kilsallaghan Residents' Heritage Association detailing the heritage and archaeology of the townland, which includes St Margaret's and Rolestown.
They say that less than 1,000 metres from the site of the proposed prison is the site of a Norman castle and church.
The State's purchase of the site is due to be completed on October 1st, when the remaining 90 per cent balance of the €29.9 million is expected to be paid over.