An enthusiastic group of Transition Year students at Coláiste Bhríde Secondary School, Carnew, have faced EirGrid chiefs and made a stance against a proposal to locate 400kV pylons and cables – the D2 Grid Link – within 600 metres of their school.
In an unprecedented course of action, the students took part in a peaceful public protest outside The Farmer’s Kitchen, on the outskirts of Wexford town, while inside there was a breakfast briefing hosted by Wexford Chamber of Commerce where EirGrid representatives were invited to do a presentation on the benefits of the Grid Link Project to local businesses.
In total about 300 people were part of the protest.
The students played various parts in this demonstration.
Some of the students made their presence and opinions heard as part of the main protesting group outside venue, while three members of the group – Una Sinnott, Darragh Kavanagh and Glynne Butler – attended the breakfast and the EirGrid presentation and question and answer session from inside.
This was led by Mr John Lowry, the EirGrid Grid Link Project Manager, and one of his colleagues.
The audience were very hostile and vocal during Mr. Lowry’s presentation.
Darragh Kavanagh, opened the session when he presented two questions and requested an answer on a ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘don’t know’ basis.
First question: Would you be happy to live next to one of these power lines?
Both failed to answer this question although were pressed to do so.
Second question: Can you guarantee us that these power lines will not cause any health effects?
Both failed to answer this question and failed to guarantee the students that these power lines would not cause any health effects.
These responses have spurred the Carnew students to continue in their campaign against the Grid Link proposal of overhead power lines.
In a statement issued to The Gorey Echo by the TY students at Carnew, they say that they are not against progress or development, but want it to be done in a sustainable and sympathetic way for the people and the environment.
“We don’t think that this technology is sympathetic to the people or the environment and hope that EirGrid will find a better technological solution to answer this problem.
“We are not engineers, but EirGrid said they have specialist engineers working for them, and we want them to invest time and effort to coming up with the technology that is sympathetic to the people and the environment.
“When these pylons and cables are here, there will be no getting rid of them! “
EirGrid is inviting feedback from the public by November 26th and the contact is John Lowry, EirGrid Project Manager, EirGrid, PO Box 12213, Glenageary, Co. Dublin.
Full report in the latest edition of THE GOREY ECHO.
