Mayor calls emergency meeting
In an offer initiated by President Donald Trump, the US government has expressed a keen interest in purchasing Waterford Regional Airport and most of the land and buildings surrounding the facility for 5 miles in all directions.
The letter was delivered by an official from the American Embassy to the Airport board of directors this morning, Tuesday. Copies were sent to all cabinet ministers and to the Mayor of Waterford, Councillor Jason Murphy.
It is understood, Taoiseach Micheal Martin was briefed about the situation before the offer was made. The matter was also discussed during his visit to Washington for St Patrick’s Week.
President Trump and his military advisors believe the strategic position of Waterford Regional Airport is an ideal spot to protect the US from possible missile attacks on its eastern seaboard. The US already has a huge base in Wales but now considers that Waterford is a better location, especially because of the proximity of vital underwater Trans-Atlantic cables.
Government sources say the Irish cabinet is not opposed to the move in principle and does not believe Ireland’s neutrality would be seriously compromised.
Senior ministers believe negotiations with the airport board should not present a problem but it is likely that a large number of farmers and homeowners within the 5-mile exclusion zone would be totally opposed to the purchase as they would most likely have to sell their properties to the Americans under Compulsory Purchase Orders and move elsewhere.
A source close to the situation said the village of Ballymacaw would be affected and would have to become a high-security zone with access for locals only.
The shape of things to come? A US military aircraft made a courtesy visit to Waterford Regional Airport today, Tuesday.
The village of Dunmore East from Coxtown to the Lower Village would be exempt from the 5-mile zone. However, house prices in both Ballymacaw and Dunmore East would soar as many of the senior US officers would most likely choose to live off base.
In a statement to The Munster Express, Mayor Murphy said he had called an emergency meeting to discuss the matter. He said it was important for the Council to know if acceptance of the offer would preclude commercial flights into Waterford or could a commercial and military facility operate in tandem as happened elsewhere.
John O'Connor
