Sir, - The poet Michael Longley asks (October 19th) if Sile de Valera really wants "her monument to be a public lavatory in the Garden of Eden".
Unfortunately for the preservation of the unique, fragile environment of Mullaghmore, a public toilet may not be the only monument to the Minister for Arts, Culture, the Gaeltacht and the Islands. Should the proposed plans of the Minister and her expensive State-funded team go ahead, they would necessitate massive road-widening to facilitate the tankering in of fresh water and the tankering out of sewage/sludge from the fragile turlough area of Mullaghmore, to a disposal area as yet unspecified by Clare County Council. We would like to remind readers that Clare County Council has refused planning permission for this development.
In view of the ongoing revelations at the DIRT inquiry and the Moriarty and Flood tribunals about the dark underbelly of the once hidden Ireland, it is certain that future generations will be calling for a tribunal on why the world renowned jewel in the Burren's crown, Mullaghmore, was vandalised by a Government Department against the advice of respected local, national and international environmental organisations and conservation experts.
What a monstrous monument! - Yours, etc.,
Cheryl and Patrick McCormack, Mullaghmore, Co Clare.
Also signed by: Sara and Gabriel Casey, Deirdre De Vally, Kit O Ceirin, Lisdoonvarna; Bernie and Liam Kirwan, Ballynacally; Martina O'Dea, Carron; Liz Catoo and Gerry Dobbins, Kilmoon.