Clare explosives factory plan relodged

Plans were yesterday lodged again with Clare County Council for a €10 million explosives factory on the shores of the Shannon…

Plans were yesterday lodged again with Clare County Council for a €10 million explosives factory on the shores of the Shannon estuary which has been strenuously opposed by a local group at Kildysart.

The new move by Shannon Explosives, a subsidiary of the Whelan Group, comes seven years after the company's first plan was lodged for the factory at Cahercon.

It led to a lengthy planning battle culminating with An Bord Pleanála refusing planning permission in February 2003.

Without a sod being turned on the scheme, the Whelan Group has already spent almost €7 million on the project, which has been opposed by local residents and the Friends of the Irish Environment. Recently appointed managing director of the Whelan Group John McKeogh said: "This development will not only be beneficial for the local community but also to the national economy. It represents an investment of up to €10 million."

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Mr McKeogh added that when operational the plant would employ about 35 people and contribute €3 million annually to the local economy through wages and the outsourcing of services to local businesses. During the construction stage, 50 people would be employed over an eight-month period.

"It is our intention to construct and operate a safe, environmentally compliant and visually pleasing facility. No blasting or destructive testing of any nature will be carried out at the site," said Mr McKeogh.

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan is a contributor to The Irish Times