Demolition of Mullaghmore centre to begin

The controversial Mullaghmore interpretation centre - halted after a High Court intervention seven years ago - is to be demolished…

The controversial Mullaghmore interpretation centre - halted after a High Court intervention seven years ago - is to be demolished, at a cost of £850,000.

The partly built centre, in the heart of the Burren National Park, is to be torn down and an adjoining car park ripped up.

The work is being carried out in compliance with a court order made last summer at the end of an often-bitter eight-year struggle involving environmentalists, politicians and local representatives.

The demolition is being backed by the Burren Action Group, which pressed for the venture to be halted over a period of years.

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However, the destruction is being opposed by people who believe the interpretative centre would have brought much-needed employment to the region.

Ironically, the demolition contract has been awarded to the same company responsible for the building work, which was stopped back in 1993 in the wake of the initial High Court action.

An order made nearly a year ago by An Bord Pleanala ordered that the site should be restored to its original state by the end of May this year.

Protests are expected when the demolition gets under way at some point before the end of the month.

Local councillor Tony Killeen said: "I share the view of people living around here that this is a disgraceful abuse of public funds."

Pat O'Loughlin, the chairman of the area's Community Development Association, called the demolition an outrage.

PA