An action committee which supports the erection of an RTE television mast in west Cork yesterday condemned any intimidation of objectors to the plan. An environmental group said this week it had withdrawn an appeal to An Bord Pleanala against siting the 60-foot mast on a hillside overlooking the village of Leap because of intimidation by unknown individuals.
Friends of the Irish Environment said the intimidation included threatening telephone calls to members' homes, and the receipt in the post by one member of an envelope containing a spent bullet. A Garda spokesman said the matter was being investigated.
A committee representing local residents, who want the erection of the mast to go ahead, said it "absolutely condemned" any intimidation of objectors.
"We don't condone that kind of conduct. As an organisation we wouldn't agree with it. It's just not on our agenda," said Mr Adrian Healy, secretary of the Leap TV action committee.
Mr Healy said the village's 100odd households had been left without a proper television service since a cable system broke down about three years ago. Some homes could receive RTE 1 but reception was poor, while the village had never received Network 2 or Teilifis na Gaeilge.
An objection by An Taisce to the mast was upheld by An Bord Pleanala in 1996, but RTE made a revised application for planning permission last year which was approved by Cork County Council.
However, appeals to An Bord Pleanala were lodged by FIE and a Co Mayo environmentalist, Mr Malcolm Coxall, whose objection still stands. The action committee, which says it has the backing of local politicians, has asked for an oral hearing.
