The pylon route which crosses the M9 just outside Naas. A line of a similar scale is to be constructed in the south east. The only question that remains is where.
‘Divide and conquer’ policy criticised by anti-pylon group
EirGrid has been accused of pitting communities against each other due to the two competing Grid Link Project route options that have been proposed for the new electricity line set to run through County Waterford.
A spokesperson for the Kilmacthomas-based ‘Comeraghs Against Pylons’ (CAP) group said EirGrid was attempting to “conquer and divide”, adding that the issue had become “socially divisive”.
Further public meetings are due to take place in communities across the region within the next week.
Last Thursday, a public meeting was held in the Rainbow Hall at Kilmacthomas and was attended by around 450 people.
Meanwhile, at the same time, a public meeting attended by over 100 people was taking place in Rathgormack Hiking Centre, with both communities are opposed to the erection of pylons in their areas.
On reaching Mahon Bridge, a proposed Grid Link Waterford route diverges, with one route running towards Carrick-on-Suir via Rathgormack, and the other directed towards Waterford city, passing near Kilmacthomas and Kilmeaden.
“Having neighbouring parishes at each other’s throats is just what EirGrid want,” claimed one of those who spoke from the floor during the meeting at Rathgormack.
While the newly-formed Rathgormack group (following a show of hands from the floor) opted against combining their forces with the Kilmacthomas group, their efforts won praise from locals Walter Murphy and Ger Flynn, who had met with CAP members on Tuesday of last week.