Cloughjordan's 'Move the Mast' protest receives strong support

Residents of Cloughjordan and surrounding areas turned out in force on Friday evening last to take part in a protest against the placement of a 5G telecommunications mast at a controversial location in the village.

The event, held in beautiful sunshine on May 2, saw a large crowd assemble outside St. Michael’s National School in the heart of Cloughjordan and local people express their emphatic rejection of the decision to grant planning permission for the communications mast adjacent to the National School, which is surrounded by homes, businesses and a creche.

An Bord Pleanala approved the mast despite unified opposition from the villagers and local politicians. This application was previously refused because of its proximity to local houses, but for a reason local peop-le find inexplicable, this time was permitted.

Local people told this newspaper they are concerned that the 15 metre "shrouded pole" will be only three metres from the walkway into the school where 137 pupils, 15 staff, parents and guardians live their lives every weekday.

The mast will also be sited seven metres from the gable-end of the school building, more than twice the height of the school, which people fear will create a shadow over the school, as well as possibly causing a danger to all patrons.

"The impact on the local houses for which the precious application was refused was also emphasised,” Tipperary Labour Deputy, Alan Kelly said, when he visited the site earlier this year.

Currently St. Michael’s NS Board of Management are working with FP Logue Solicitors in Dublin to request a judicial review of the case and An Bord Pleanala’s controversial decision, but parents and staff say they remain in disbelief that their local elected representatives have approved locating the mast next to the local national school.

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Tipperary’s Development Plan also specifically states that it will not place masts near schools or homes unless as a last resort, the group organising the demonstration have pointed out.

The organisers of the Move the Mast protest are hosting a public meeting on Wednesday, May 14th at 8pm in St. Kieran's Hall in Cloughjordan and are inviting all local people and support from neighbouring areas to attend.