Protection of Carrickmines Castle Continues (photos & info)

by redJaDe Tue Jan 28, 2003 23:53

CARRICKMINDERS PRESS RELEASE

4.00 AM TUESDAY 28 JANUARY 2003-01-28

“Carrickminders prepare for imminent threat, in wake
of confrontation.”

Yesterday, Monday January 27th, Carrickminders
successfully prevented an archaeological team from
removing a ten foot section of fosse (or defensive
wall) from the Carrickmines Castle site. About 10.00
AM, a group of twenty or so archaeologists began using
hand equipment around the wall. A group of twenty or
so Carrickminders quietly filed along the wall and sat
down in front of them. Work continued in silence, as
did the protest, for about an hour, until the
archaeologists withdrew.

Today, Carrickminders are bracing themselves for a
return of the archaeological team, at 9.00 AM; the
arrival of heavy road-building equipment; or efforts
to remove them from the occupation. Preparations
appear to be under way for a breach of the castle
enclosure by road contractors, now on either side.
Carrickminders are anxious to have their legal tem
enter formal negotiations, and avoid further
confrontations, having already placed themselves in
harms way on numerous occasions.

On Friday, January 24th, a solicitor’s letter, on
behalf of Carrickminders, designed to open formal
dialogue, was sent to Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County
Council, the Department of Transport and the
Department of the Environment. The letter asked for
undertakings that work would cease on the castle site
until good faith negotiations had been concluded.

It is the position of Carrickminders that the
archaeological dig at Carrickmines Castle remains
unfinished, and we ask the National Museum to examine
the site before Dúchas ‘signs off’ on the site,
allowing road-work to continue. The threatened
destruction of this National Monument is illegal under
Irish and European law, and we are calling for the
authorities to take all steps necessary to avoid
breaching the integrity of the castle enclosure. We
are calling on all interested groups, and individuals
to support us in this stance, to protect not only
Carrickmines Castle, and to prevent the wholesale
demolition of heritage currently underway in Ireland.

Avoiding the castle will require a new Environmental
Impact Assessment, bending the road and removing the
interchange at Carrickmines. If the authorities
attempt to begin work on the castle site before formal
negotiations begin they will be met with stern
peaceful resistance, and High Court proceedings will
issue, seeking to enjoin further action.

Considering that the Flood Tribunal is currently
accepting submissions on planning corruption at
Carrickmines, and some of the damning evidence already
presented there; the European complaints and
investigation, to which the NRA have yet to respond;
and the An Bord Planeala investigation into the breach
of planning law and other laws caused by the
threatened removal of the fosse, we feel it is time
for a proper public dialogue on the gravely serious
matter at hand.

Carrickmines Castle should never have been disturbed.
Now that it has been partially uncovered, it will make
an excellent local amenity, and can still be preserved
as a National Treasure. Potential tourist income
alone should justify any additional expense in
developing an ‘engineering solution’ to save it.

VINCENT SALAFIA
Carrickminders Spokesman
(087) 132-3365 / Site (087) 962-7543
[email protected] / [email protected]

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