Protestors face gardaí in Kilkenny bridge standoff

Protestors opposing a scheme to build a bridge in the centre of medieval Kilkenny City faced nearly 30 gardaí this morning as they took to the picket line.

Darragh Byrne, who is protesting the scheme, said a number of gardaí and contractors arrived at the site this morning to deliver petrol and pylons . He said protestors were “manhandled” by gardaí crossing the picket line.

The local demonstrators have gathered at the Kilkenny site over the past five weeks to protest the Central Access Scheme (CAS) multi-million euro project that includes the construction of a new bridge over the River Nore.

“There is a lot of disenfranchisement and we’re feeling very disappointed,” said Mr Byrne who hopes to interrupt the installation of the steel supports for the bridge. If the crew cannot install the supports by the end of September, construction will cease until next year due to an agreement with local fisheries.

Lucy Glendinning, originally from Cork, moved to the Castlecomer road three years ago with her husband and children. She says before the CAS construction began she often cycled into Kilkenny centre, cycling parallel to the river through the Peace Park.

“Now there’s this monstrosity of a 22 metre concrete bridge going across the Peace Park,” she said. “Building this bridge with a road leading to nowhere will bring more traffic on to the road. This will have a huge impact on our lives.”

However, Ms Glendinning also said the protest has brought the local community together.

“I’ve had such an education of people in Kilkenny, it has introduced me to all ages and backgrounds, bringing the community together.”

The protest is part of a wave of local dissent against the access scheme, which was approved by An Bord Pleanála in 2011. Yesterday, the protestors took to the streets wearing Phil Hogan masks and called on the former minister for the environment to "stop the madness".

Kilkenny County Council last month held an emergency meeting to address a motion calling for a review of the scheme. The council determined that it had no statutory power to review the scheme or halt works.

Those in support of the plan, including Kilkenny County Council, claim that construction delays have cost €150,000 and that a new bridge is necessary to alleviate traffic caused by the pedestrianisation of many of the city’s streets.