July 25, 2014
Ireland

South Tipp residents to block turbines

The Nationalist | 25 July 2014 | www.nationalist.ie

Shocked residents in an historic part of South Tipp have vowed to fight plans for a wind farm in their area – for the second time in eight years.

Dunoair, a Dutch company, has announced it is investigating sites a few miles from Carrick on Suir for “a new wind energy project,” and the Ahenny Action Group has found itself called back into action in response, by stunned and angry locals.

A letter delivered to homes in the area last Tuesday and Wednesday revealed the company is considering sites on Coillte-run lands on Curraghdobbin and Carrigadoon hills, about five km north of the town, and has plans to build eight wind turbines.

“We are absolutely shocked,” local resident Genevieve Cooney told The Nationalist. “I received the letter last Wednesday and it was the first I heard of it. There is desperate local anger.”

In 2006, a fierce battle was fought in nearby Curraheen when another firm planned a wind farm in the valley.

“We find it extraordinary that any wind company would have the gall to come back into our area again,” said Mairead Sheehan, chairperson of the Ahenny Action Group. “They call themselves DunoAir. Well they clearly ‘dunno’ much about how passionately we care about our precious landscape and gorgeous views, and protecting them for the next generation.”

Dunoair say the project could supply enough clean energy to power half the homes in Tipperary. They are “committed to consulting the local community,” and plan to lodge a planning application later this year.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/25/south-tipp-residents-to-block-turbines/