A young family's plans to overcome overcrowded conditions at their home near Shannon Airport have been thwarted by Aer Rianta.
Mr Vincent O'Brien, his wife, Geraldine, and their one-year-old son, Evan, sleep in a cramped attic room. Their daughter, Megan (9), sleeps in a downstairs bedroom in the four-room cottage.
To overcome the cramped conditions, the O'Briens applied successfully to Clare County Council for an extension to their house. However, the decision has been appealed by the managers of Shannon Airport, Aer Rianta, to An Bord Pleanala. They claim the proposal would detract from public safety.
Aer Rianta says a Red Safety Area - estimated to cover 250 acres around the airport - provides for the safety of aircraft, passengers and the public on the approach and take-off of aircraft.
The company claims any extension could pose an extra risk both to the O'Briens and to aircraft if an aircraft overshot or landed short of the runway.
An Aer Rianta spokeswoman said the company was obliged to control development in the Red Safety Area.
However, Mr O'Brien said he was astounded at Aer Rianta's appeal. He said Aer Rianta's move was an attempt to sterilise lands so that these could be purchased by Aer Rianta at knockdown prices. This is denied by Aer Rianta.
He said the attic bedroom was extremely restricted. The situation could constitute overcrowding in accordance with Section 63 (b) of the 1966 Housing Act.
Mr O'Brien said: "If Aer Rianta's appeal is successful, we would be forced to move because we would not be able to bring up the kids in this home. It is an extension we are seeking. Aer Rianta are being very heavy-handed in their approach."
Aer Rianta's policy of seeking to block development within the Red Safety Area has angered locals. One neighbour is bringing a High Court action against the company over the legality of the zone.
A member of Clare County Council, Mr Pat McMahon, said: "Aer Rianta's policy is totally without justification and is resulting in sons and daughters of people living in the area who would like to settle there going elsewhere."
He predicted the High Court challenge could have serious implications for Aer Rianta's operations at Shannon, Dublin and Cork.
A spokesman for the council said: "We would allow a number of applications in the Red Safety Areas but An Bord Pleanala tends to overturn those decisions appealed by Aer Rianta."
