Coolcappa campaigners set to join national march to gates of the Dáil
CAMPAIGNERS opposed to a wind farm development in west Limerick are to march on Dail Eireann next month.
Members of the Coolcappa Community Action Group will join a wider protest organised by the Communities and Environmental Protection Alliance (Cepa) to urge more robust wind farm regulations.
It takes place on Tuesday, May 21 from 1pm outside the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin city centre.
From there, they will process to the gates of the Dail.
The Coolcappa Community Action Group was formed in response to proposals by Ballynisky Green Energy to build six turbines with an overall height of 158 metres.
The group have been holding daily protests outside the developer’s offices in Adare.
Among the concerns of locals is the fact that wind energy guidelines which govern the construction and design of turbines, are based off guidelines published 20 years ago - and not updated since.
This is why the gates of Dail Eireann are the focus of next month’s protest, with the hope new guidelines can be implemented.
Cepa is a voluntary group representing communities across Ireland which are impacted by wind energy developments.
Its main focus lies in seeking environmental regulation policies, in the interests of safeguarding public health and wellbeing, and preserving environmental integrity.
There are currently over 40 action groups in the alliance, including from Coolcappa village and its surrounds.
In the build-up to next month’s march, Cepa has launched a campaign, an online petition, and will also send letters to councillors, TDs and MEPs outlining what they feel are the “inadequacies” of the current regulations and guidelines.
A number of other local community groups are allied to Cepa, and will be taking part in the march.
Among them are the Corronoher Ballinruane Heritage Society from near Killeedy, as well as a number of smaller groups and individuals from across Limerick.