1,000 expected at protest against €500m Eirgrid project

A protest is due to take place in Co Waterford today against plans for giant electricity pylons.

Up to 1,000 people are expected at Mahon Falls in the Comeragh mountains, one of several beauty spots which campaigners say will be destroyed by Eirgrid’s refusal to countenance an underground alternative.

"I do not want it coming near me; compensation is not the issue," insisted Waterford farmer and protest leader Walter Murphy (53) ahead of the demonstration.

The controversial €500 million Grid Link project aims to link the national grid between Leinster and Munster with new 400kV overhead lines linking Knockraha in Co Cork, Great Island in Co Wexford and Kilcullen in Co Kildare by using 750 pylons.

It is currently at public consultation phase.