A group opposing the construction of a wind farm in Connemara plans to protest outside the county buildings next Monday.
The Knockalough Community Group, which includes residents from Moycullen, Spiddal, Furbo, Barna and Lettermuckoo, says it has “ had enough” of being “fobbed off” by the Galway County Council.
“We are so concerned about the impacts of wind farms that are currently under construction in our area that we are going to be demonstrating outside the Galway County Council Buildings on Monday,” says group respresentatives Yvonne Cronin and Alan Kelly.
“ We feel this is the only way that we can get the council to address the issues as they have been fobbing us off for months now.”
The group claim the turbines, which are as tall as the spire in Dublin, are being constructed in close proximity to people’s homes with little or no consultation with the communities affected.
“With the extensive amount of research now available proving without doubt that there are repercussions to public health as a result of living too close to a turbine, you would think the Galway County Council would be interested in protecting its constituents,” the group claims.
“ The health effects, shadow flicker and noise that will be suffered at these homes, as well as property devaluation, do not seem to be an issue for Galway County Council. These issue needs to be urgently addressed.”
The group believes the current “plague” of wind farm development is only the beginning.
“The Galway County Council’s wind strategy plan allows for far more development and approximately 60 per cent of the areas they have zoned as suitable are in the most densely populated areas of the county.”
They believe 103 turbines have already been granted in an 8km radius in the gateway to Connemara.
“These communities are crying out for help to stop these developments,” the group says. “We will be supported by members of the national organisation CREWE - Communities for Responsible Engagement with Wind Energy - at our demonstration.”
