Former attorney general loses his court battle to halt Slane bypass

A former attorney general has lost a legal challenge against a bypass designed to avoid a dangerous bridge in Slane, writes Helen Bruce. Barrister John Rogers, who owns land in the area, had initiated a judicial review against An Comisiún Pleanála. He noted the proposed 3.5km bypass was located to the east of the bridge adjacent to the Brú na Bóinne landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He said it included a critical point when travelling west to east along the River Boyne, where the monuments of Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth first come into view. Mr Rogers said that alternatives were available for consideration, and claimed that given the unique nature of the area, the commission must, by law, ensure that it had access to sufficient expertise to examine Meath County Council’s Environmental Impact Assessment. He alleged the commission failed to do so, and on that basis, the decision to grant planning to the bypass last June was flawed. But Judge David Nolan said: “The bridge across the River Boyne at Slane Village has for years been a cause of danger, damage and death. “There have been many attempts to remediate the traffic problems caused by the narrow 19th-century bridge over an important national river, entering the beautiful, picturesque village, but all have failed.” Permission was granted, subject to conditions, he said. The judge said the scheme envisaged was extensive and would include roundabouts, the redevelopment of the junction in the village of Slane and a number of additional bridges, one of which will be 258m long and hold a dual carriageway. He said Mr Rogers was concerned that the proposed development may adversely affect groundwater-dependent habitats. Mr Rogers claimed that, while the council engaged a number of specialists, the commission did not do so. Without such expertise, he argued, the commission could not carry out a sophisticated level of analysis, as was required for a site of such exceptional sensitivity and global importance. Slane bridge in County Meath, a thirteen arch masonry bridge, built in 1776, crossing the River Boyne. But Judge Nolan said that Mr Rogers had not established on an evidential basis a lack of expertise on the part of the commission, and so his judicial review could not succeed. Speaking after the ruling, Wayne Harding, cathaoirleach of Meath County Council said the outcome was “fantastic news”. Photo: Former Attorney General of Ireland John Rogers

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