Clare County Council yesterday ordered all work to cease at the Pol an Ionain cave complex at Doolin. It says the works are being done without planning permission.
This follows fears by An Taisce and the Pol an Ionain Action Group over the potential damage the works programme may cause to a 23 ft stalactite within the cave.
The surprise move is the latest twist to the long-running saga surrounding efforts by a Doolin couple to develop the cave as a tourist attraction.
Despite strong opposition, John and Helen Browne of Roadford, Doolin, were granted planning permission by the council to develop the cave in 2000. However, the decision was overturned on appeal to An Bord Pleanála in February 2001. Last October, the council allowed the Brownes to start a works programme at the cave for "research" purposes to complete an Environmental Impact Statement, ruling such works did not require planning permission.
Pol an Ionain Action Group instigated High Court proceedings. In a move that will strengthen the group's case, the council ruled the existing and proposed works are not exempt from planning permission.
