{"article":{"id":214915,"heading":"Building Works at Rath Lugh National Monument near Hill of Tara stopped by Protesters","author":"Tara Foundation","created":"2008-03-12 12:31:07","modified":"2013-11-11 00:53:04","last_modified":"Mon, 11 Nov 2013 07:53:04","article":"

Statement on behalf of the Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp: 7th March 2008\r\n(For direct contacts see phone numbers below)\r\n\r\nRath Lugh Monument near the Hill of Tara under direct threat from M3 Motorway building works. \r\n\r\n“The Protectors at Rath Lugh have planned a Direct Action method used for the first time on protest sites in Ireland. They have dug a tunnel under the route of the M3 directly in front of the Rath Lugh promontory fort in the Gabhra Valley, Co Meath in Ireland.\r\n\r\nThe Protectors intend to occupy this tunnel and seal themselves inside indefinitely to prevent construction traffic from passing overhead. \r\n\r\nThey are laying their very lives on the line to protect and preserve Tara's landscape from the destruction wrought by their own Government.\r\n\r\nThe Protectors said: \"We want to draw attention to the continued erosion of the esker by passing construction traffic, hence damaging the base and foundation of the Rath.\"\r\n\r\nThis is a continuation of their non-violent direct action. The tunnel acts like a souterrain giving the occupant protection and making it very difficult for the enemy to enter.”\r\n\r\nRath Lugh Direct Action Camp\r\nFor further information ring Derek on +353 86-845 9279 or Lou on 086-\r\n3600478\r\n\r\nhttp:\/\/www.tarapixi e.net\r\n\r\nLink to the video of events 5-6 March at Rath Lugh, Lismullin, Co \r\nMeath\r\n\r\nhttp:\/\/www.livevide o.com\/video\/ 4819A5371FDA46BA B4A42CA1D60B2A1F \/rathl\r\nugh-down-under. aspx?m_tkc= 11224420 \r\n\r\n\r\nUpdate: Press Release - Save Tara campaign: 09 Mar 2008 \r\n\r\n\r\nM3 Protesters warn Gardai tunnel 'Will Collapse'\r\n\r\n“A young woman has vowed to seal herself into the tunnel under the proposed route of the M3 near the Hill of Tara in Co. Meath.\r\n\r\nProtesters were today frantically trying to communicate to the Gardai, the fragile nature of the soil in the Rath Lugh area, and that any movement of heavy machinery in the vicinity of the Rath will collapse the tunnel, with possible fatal consequences.\r\n\r\nMinister Gormley issued a permanent protection order on the Monument\r\nlast week. However, neither the Department of the Environment nor the Land Registry have been able to supply detailed maps of the protected zone. Protesters claim that the ongoing site works associated with construction of the M3 Motorway are endangering the stability of the\r\nesker upon which Rath Lugh is built.\r\n\r\nThe Gardai were today asked by senior figures in the Save Tara campaign, to do all they could to protect the welfare of the young female protester, and in no circumstances allow the NRA or any of their contractors move heavy machinery in the vicinity.\r\n\r\n'Any eviction attempt by unqualified and inexperienced personnel is likely to end in failure, with possible catastrophic consequences. There are specialist tunnel rescue crews that need to be consulted before any attempt is made to end this protest.' Claimed Michael Canney today.”\r\n\r\nFor further information please contact; Dr. Muireann Ni Bhrolchain of the Save Tara Campaign:\r\n+353 87-9249510\r\n\r\nFrom the Rath Lugh Camp Website: http:\/\/www.tarapixie.net\/ \r\n\r\n“The Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp is situated two and a half kilometres from the Hill of Tara, on the Front Line of the proposed M3 between Lismullen and Baronstown. We are a diverse and international group of activists working together in a non-hierarchal way with the aim of putting a stop to the proposed M3. Currently we are hoping to obtain Gaeltacht Status, as Irish is spoken and taught in the camp on a daily basis......\r\n...We participate in Non Violent Direct Action tactics in order to halt the ongoing destruction of the Tara complex. The camp works with an emphasis on the preservation of our heritage and our culture predating Christianity for future generations to appreciate and learn from. This involves blockading the key routes, hence stopping as much machinery and construction as possible on the sites...\r\n...Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp welcomes all friends of Tara. We need people urgently to halt the Valley's destruction. Everyone has a skill or talent they can lend to this protest. Bring wellies, raingear, sleeping bags, torch, lighter, plenty of warm clothing, and good spirits. The protest is only going to get stronger, we will continue to oppose the motorway until it is moved, so come to Rath Lugh as quickly as you can. WE NEED YOU ALL NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. Tara is calling, don't ignore the call.”\r\n\r\n\r\nOn March 1st, Dr Jonathan Foyle, British chief executive of the World Monuments Fund, which placed Tara on its endangered sites list last year, likened the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara to the destruction by Afghanistan's Taliban regime in 2001 of the Bamiyan Buddhas. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSources: Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp Website: \r\n\r\nhttp:\/\/www.tarapixie.net\/ \r\n\r\nSave Tara: http:\/\/www.savetara.com\/ \r\n\r\nhttp:\/\/www.ireland.com\/newspaper\/frontpage\/2008\/0301\/1204240357176.html \r\n\r\n\r\nWith Thanks to the Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp and the Save Tara Campaign.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Tara Foundation: \r\n\r\nhttp:\/\/www.tara-foundation.org \r\n\r\nmail@tara-foundation.org<\/p>\n","contact":"mail@tara-foundation.org","link":"http:\/\/www.tara-foundation.org","address":"","phone":"","parent_id":0,"mime_type":"text\/html","summary":"From the Tara Foundation: \r\n\r\nThese are two statements released by the Save Tara Campaign on behalf of the Rath Lugh Direct Action Camp outlining the emergency situation at the Rath Lugh National Monument near the Hill of Tara:","numcomment":0,"fileurl":"\/uploads\/","filesize":null,"article_url":"\/news\/2008\/03\/214915.php"},"attachments":[],"comments":[]}