THE 65-YEAR-OLD Co Offaly woman who attempted to prevent an ESB power line crossing her land remained defiant shortly before being taken from her home and brought to prison yesterday.
She admitted to feeling nervous as she had never been to jail before. However, she stressed that she wanted to protect her trees.
A committal order was issued in the High Court for Teresa Treacy on Monday as she continued to defy a court order allowing Eirgrid and the ESB to access her property.
Ms Treacy of Woodfield House, Clonmore, Tullamore, has consistently expressed concern about the welfare of forestry on her land.
She has called on the ESB and Eirgrid to place the power line underground. Speaking at her property less than an hour before her arrest yesterday, Ms Treacy described recent court appearances as “very stressful” and said she was glad to be home.
She had been allowed to go home on Monday after the judge’s ruling in the High Court until the committal order was drawn up and gardaí could take her to prison.
Appearing anxious, Ms Treacy said she had never been to prison. “This has been very stressful, all yesterday. Today I’m not as bad because I am here [home],” she added.
“I’m not going to say too much, I’ll say a little bit. I’m just protecting the natural environment, we have trees, so that’s all I am saying,” Ms Treacy said.
When asked if her sister Mary Treacy, who lives at the same residence, was worried about the situation, Ms Treacy replied, “she is yes, poor Mary, yes that’s right”.
Although aware gardaí would have to come and execute the warrant, Ms Treacy remained defiant and said she wasn’t worried.
“I’m not, I’d rather protect the trees.”
Despite her impending arrest, Ms Treacy remained hopeful of a satisfactory outcome to the dispute.
Gardaí from Tullamore took her into custody shortly after 11am yesterday. She was then transferred from Tullamore Garda station to Mountjoy Women’s Prison. Under the directions of High Court judge Mr Justice Daniel Herbert, Ms Treacy is to remain in prison until she purges her contempt.