The plan to run a new M3 motorway between the hills of Tara and Skryne in Co Meath would be a "massive national and international tragedy", environmental researchers heard at the weekend, writes Frank McDonald.
Mr Brendan Myers, of the department of philosophy at NUI Galway, said the Hill of Tara "constitutes the heart and soul of Ireland. Its very name invokes the spirit and mystique of our people and is instantly recognisable worldwide".
Speaking in the University of Limerick, he said any commercial development of Tara's slopes combined with a tolled motorway 1.5 kilometres from the hill would be "enormously tragic for the national character of Ireland".
Mr Myers said Co Meath was on target to become "one vast, dreary estate and car park for north Dublin. And an M3 scab on the landscape planned to run between Tara and Skryne will be the service road for this wasteland of commuter housing."
Last week, following the High Court ruling against the Minister for the Environment on Carrickmines Castle, campaigners said it must now be presumed that any interference with Ireland's national monuments "is illegal and must cease immediately".
The Save Tara/Skryne Valley campaign said Mr Cullen must exercise his existing statutory role and place preservation orders on all national monuments, including Tara, or "face a litany of lengthy, costly and embarrassing legal challenges."
Falsely accused of shoplifting
A retired public servant was taken from a city centre pub to answer false accusations of shoplifting, Circuit Court President, Mr Justice Esmond Smyth heard yesterday.
Mr Samuel Rodgers (74), was in court to hear the security company involved, Monarch International, Harbour Road, Howth, Co Dublin, apologise for their mistake and accept his "impeccable standing".
Mr John Nolan, counsel for Rodgers, Edenmore Grove, Raheny, Dublin, said on August 17th, 2000, his client had been shopping in Dunnes Stores, North Earl Street, Dublin, and had afterwards gone to a local public house with friends.
A garda entered the pub and brought him back to Dunnes Stores where he said an accusation had been made that he had left the shop without having paid.
Mr Nolan said Monarch International security, which made the accusation, now unreservedly apologised for it.
Monarch International accepted that Mr Rodgers was a person of impeccable character and standing in society and agreed to pay compensation and legal costs to Mr Rodgers.
It is believed the agreed damages amounted to a five-figure sum.
30 months for stabbing
A 19-year-old Dublin man has been given a 30-month sentence for stabbing another man in the chest after he went "berserk".
Wayne Zambra, Lourdes Road, Maryland, Dublin, has been in custody since May last year and Judge Joseph Matthews suspended the balance of his sentence on condition that he keep the peace for a period of 18 months.
Zambra pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Mr Gary Claffey on May 16th, 2002, outside a pub on Wolfe Tone Quay in Dublin .
Mr Claffey was admitted to hospital with multiple stab wounds to his chest, right shoulder and upper arm, but a medical report submitted to the court indicated there were no long-term consequences as a result of the injuries.
Mr Zambra, whom the court heard was receiving treatment for his drug addiction, was released on his own bond of €100 on condition that he lives with his parents and signs on three times a week at Kevin Street Garda Station.