Sinn Féin steps up opposition to Eirgrid pylon plan

Sinn Féin elected representatives meet to address the vexed issue of the Eirgrid/ NIE proposals to erect pylon-supported power lines

SINN FÉIN elected representatives from both sides of the border met in County Monaghan on 4 January to plan an intensified, co-ordinated cross-border opposition to proposals by Eirgrid and NIE to erect new power structures.
Eirgrid and NIE want to build an above-ground North-South 400kv interconnector running from County Tyrone to County Cavan and the Eirgrid stand-alone proposal to erect a new 400kv pylon-supported power line from Woodland, County Meath, to Kingscourt, County Cavan.
Sinn Féin members of county and town councils in Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and councillors and Assembly members from Armagh and Tyrone joined Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD and Newry/Armagh MP Conor Murphy (Minister for Regional Development) at the meeting in Castleblayney.
Monaghan County and Carrickmacross Town Councillor Noel Keelan who represents Sinn Féin on the County Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee said it is Sinn Féin’s intention to complement “in every way possible” the campaign of determined opposition that has grown the entire length of these proposed new power lines.
Deputy Ó Caoláin said:
“We are at one with campaigning communities across all of the affected counties and will be using our considerable political strength, north and south of the border, to enhance that community-led effort to force Eirgrid and the NIE to re-think their approach to these planned power lines.”