Protesters gather outside council buildings in tullamore

 

Just over 20 people have gathered outside Aras an Chontae in Tullamore, protesting against local and national renewable energy plans.

The protest, which is part of a national campaign, claims the government’s energy policy is flawed, will waste billions and will destroy the landscape. The national campaign is opposed to Eirgrid’s network upgrade plan that includes the construction of giant electricity pylons, and is also against plans to build wind turbines across the country.

Locally demonstrators are unhappy with an agreement reached by councillors last week to set wind turbines back two kilometres from towns and villages in the county, despite previous plans for a set back distance of 3.2km from all residences.

Chairman of the Rhode Parish Wind Turbine Action Group Stephen Carroll explained that while a two kilometre set back from all residences would afford rural residents protection, what’s been agreed gives them no protection.

Mr Carroll, who failed to win a council seat in last May’s election, said the system is flawed.

“The council is following the executive, and the executive is following national government,” he said. “National government is dictating county development plans and that is completely the opposite way of how it should work. The county councillors in Offaly should dictate policy. That should feed up to national government, not the other way around.”

“Can you imagine living next to a 185 metre high turbine?” fellow action group member Joanne Addie added. “That’s that same height as the Spire sitting on top of Liberty Hall. We have never sought to be rezoned from wind developments, but we have numerously requested a two kilometre set back from all residences to limit the huge negative visual impact and to try to reduce the noise from these industrial machines.”

The 20+ people protesting today are making the noise of a far bigger crowd, thanks to implements including frying pans, wooden spoons, whistles and bells. Mr Carroll said the people gathered represent many more however.

“Given the fact this is a week day it’s impossible to have a big turn out,” he said. “Each of these people probably have a group of 20 or more people behind them,” he added, however.