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Greens call for end to helicopter landings at Booterstown

The Green Party has called for an end to unauthorised helicopter landings at Booterstown, Co. Dublin. Green Party Environment spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said today that such landings pose a significant threat to nearby birdlife, traffic and Dart users and he supports the call made by nearby residents for the flights to cease.

Deputy Cuffe said today that, “This is a significant threat to birdlife at the nearby Booterstown Bird Marsh, a proposed Natural Heritage Area. I am also concerned at the danger such flights represent to traffic on the Rock Road and rail users on the DART line. Nearby residents are also deeply concerned and want the flights to cease.”

The frequency of landings has increased in recent days despite the removal of a helicopter pad that had been built at the site at the Rock Road, Booterstown earlier this year. At the time property developer Bernard McNamara stated that, “For the sake of a quiet life, it’s been dug up”.

Consultants Robertson and Associates, apparently acting for the site owner, stated to Ian Lumley of An Taisce on 8 April 2005 that a “programme of monitoring bird behaviour with respect to one landing/take off …on ten separate days over a two week period (19 April – 29 April 2005)” would be initiated.

Deputy Cuffe continued, “I am appalled that this is happening despite earlier assurances from Mr. McNamara. I have written to Dublin City Council today requesting them to make a Declaration under Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as to whether these flights constitute Development in planning terms.”

“I have also written directly to Mr. McNamara; Robertson and Associates; and the Irish Aviation Authority asking for the flights to cease immediately,” concluded Deputy Cuffe.