Madam, – I note that the NRA is soon to start construction of a highway from Gort to Tuam (Home News, December 28th). This is to pass near Coole Park, a Special Area of Conservation.
During the period of road construction a bat roost is to be constructed in the grounds of Coole Park to protect the Lesser Horseshoe Bat, at a cost of €90,000.
In the past a bat corridor and bat roost were constructed at considerable expense near a new road in Clare. It transpired afterwards that it was never used, the bats, like sensible creatures, roosted elsewhere.
In view of this surely we could find better use for this money. Perhaps homeless human beings should take priority over homeless bats, who seem well able to take care of themselves.
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– Yours, etc,