Hearing into proposed €250m road between Limerick and Nenagh ends

An oral hearing into a controversial proposal to build a €250 million motorway between Limerick and Nenagh concluded yesterday…

An oral hearing into a controversial proposal to build a €250 million motorway between Limerick and Nenagh concluded yesterday amid heated scenes.

The seven-day hearing was told that there were objections from more than 100 landowners who have been served with compulsory purchase orders on their homes and property.

An Bord Pleanála inspector, Mr Michael Ward, also heard submissions from groups and individuals in relation to the Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed route.

On the final day of the hearing in Limerick yesterday, conservationist Mr Ruadhan MacEoin, made a lengthy submission on alternative proposals to the new 37 km road.

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Central to his argument was a proposal to upgrade the existing N7 route between Limerick and Nenagh along the lines of the "two plus one" routes.

This is basically a three-lane carriageway which allows safe overtaking at 2 km sections in both directions along the route.

The conservationist argued that this proposal would be less damaging to the environment and be considerably more cost effective.

At the end of Mr MacEoin's submission, Mr James Macken SC, for the local authorities, made his final address and Mr Ward closed the hearing.

At this point, Mr MacEoin made several attempts to ask the expert panel to address the points he had just raised in his alternative proposal.

However, his request was repeatedly denied by Mr Ward, who told him the hearing had closed.

"I am deeply upset at the way in which the inspector concluded the hearing in such a needlessly aggressive manner without allowing the experts to address my questions," Mr MacEoin said afterwards.