The High Court yesterday ordered work to cease on the construction of a traveller halting site at Birr, Co Offaly, pending the outcome of a legal challenge. The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Morris, directed Birr Urban District Council to stop work on the construction of the permanent site at Croghan Road, Birr. The judge said the development had been planned since May 1994. Contracts had been signed in November and work began on December 6th. He said his order would remain in force until the determination of judicial review proceedings, taken by local people, challenging the decision to construct the site on the basis it contravened the Birr development plan. He refused to grant a stay on the order in the event of an appeal to the Supreme Court.