More than 200 academics from Ireland and abroad have made an "11th-hour plea" to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Minister for the Environment Dick Roche, asking them to reverse a decision on the current route of the proposed M3 motorway through the Tara Skryne valley.
A majority of academics from Celtic studies and history departments in Irish universities have signed the statement, which calls on the Government to reverse An Bord Pleanála's decision to approve the present route.
In the statement, which was handed into the Taoiseach yesterday afternoon, the signatories said they were "seeking to avoid a cultural calamity that will bring shame on Ireland".
"The Government cannot hide behind archaeological, transport and legal reasons in favour of this route any more," the statement said.
Signatories comprise academics from major universities in mainland Europe, Britain and North America, including Celtic language expert Prof Thomas Charles-Edwards, and Prof Barry Cunliffe of European archaeology at the University of Oxford.
Others include Prof Daniel Melia of the University of California, Berkeley; and Prof Joe Lee, presently at New York University.
Prominent Irish academics who signed the statement include: historians Prof Donncha Ó Corráin, University College Cork; and Prof Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, NUI Galway; archaeologist Prof John Waddell, University College Dublin; and UCD history professor Howard Clarke, who is also secretary of the Royal Irish Academy.
UCD historian Edel Bhreathnach, who has been one of the leaders of the campaign against the current route, said the petition showed that opponents "aren't just a bunch of tree-hugging lunatics".
A copy of the statement was given to Tánaiste Mary Harney and the leaders of the main opposition parties, as well as to Mr Roche.
Mr Roche has indicated he will not intervene to refuse licences for the archaeological work that will allow the route to go ahead.
He said he will acknowledge and respond to the statement by the academics, pointing out "precisely what the facts are".