27th July 2002

PRESS RELEASE

‘RE-ROUTE MOTORWAY TO AVOID CASTLE’ - GREEN PARTY

The Green Party has called for the route of Dublin’s South Eastern Motorway to be changed so that Carrickmines Castle in South Dublin is preserved.

The Party has written to the Ministers for Transport and the Environment as well as the National Roads Authority and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Manager calling on them to visit the archaeological dig and change the route.

“The Council already owns sufficient land to allow the route to be changed,” stated Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party today. “Raising part of the motorway over the Castle remains would also help to minimise the damage.”

“Carrickmines Castle is one of the most important archaeological finds in Ireland since Wood Quay. It could be a superb tourist attraction. It would be scandalous to allow a motorway to plough through such an important site.”

“We also call on the Council to allow public access to the excavations during the dig and after construction so that they can see for themselves these incredible remains.”

ENDS

For further information contact:

Ciarán Cuffe, TD   087 265 2075 or 618 3082

Stephen Rawson, Press Officer 087 235 7551 or 618 4088