Contractors back on mast site
CONTRACTORS are back on site of the controversial 15-metre-high telecommunications mast in Kingswood after opposing resident’s appeal was rejected.
A peaceful protest took place on the morning of Wednesday, June 30 on the site of the mast, which is located at Sylvan Drive in Kingswood, Tallaght.
Construction workers at the mast site in Kingswood on Thursday morning
The council granted a license for the mast to Cignal Infrastructure Ltd in September last year, however this decision came under consideration by An Bord Pleanála when residents opposed the mast.
Local residents under the name of the Kingswood Heights Mast Opposition Committee lodged an appeal last December – and an enforcement file had been opened “in relation to alleged unauthorised development” of the mast in Kingswood. On June 1, An Bord Pleanála gave their decision following an investigation into the development of the mast – with the result allowing it to stay in its current location.
Councillor Liam Sinclair for Tallaght Central said that the feeling amongst residents at the site of the mast on Wednesday morning was “frustration”.
He said: “They feel that they have made a case that has been accepted in fact, but the correct decision has not been made based on those facts.
“Despite their frustrations, they are continuing to operate through the correct channels i.e., their elected officials and the executive of South Dublin County Council.”
Councillor Charlie O’Connor for Tallaght Central tabled a question at an Area Committee Meeting on Monday, June 28 asking the CEO of South Dublin County Council to confirm his response to the recent decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for the mast.
In the council’s response to the question raised, the council said: “The Board Inspector recommended a refusal of permission on the basis that the subject site was outside the scope of the Section 254 legislation, namely the site was not on or along the public road.
“The Board did not accept the Inspectors recommendation and granted permission.”
The licence is permitted for 3 years.
Speaking with The Echo, Kingswood resident and member of the opposition committee, Joe Edgeworth said that he is “annoyed” with the council’s response.
Joe said: “The response didn’t even come from the same department that the actual licence was applied for, so to me it is just a response to fob people off.”
In a statement to The Echo, Gardai confirmed the peaceful protest from residents by saying: “Gardai conducted a patrol of the Kingswood area in Tallaght this morning, Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
“A number of persons were gathered in the area conducting a peaceful protest. No incidents occurred, and no offences detected.”
