Action aimed at halting pylon hearing is dismissed

The High Court has dismissed an action brought by the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign seeking to halt an oral hearing into EirGrid's application to construct approximately 300 pylons for the proposed North-South electricity interconnector. Mr Justice Richard Humphreys refused permission for the challenge on Thursday, finding that intermediate steps in planning processes should be allowed to proceed to conclusion. The group, representing nearly 200 landowners across Cavan, Meath and Monaghan, opposed the application on grounds including health and environmental concerns. It had also challenged the validity of EirGrid's application under Strategic Infrastructure Development legislation and raised difficulties regarding Environmental Impact and Natura Impact Statements. The judge stated that permitting challenges at each stage risked unnecessary disruption and multiplication of judicial review proceedings. He noted the group could pursue further challenges following An Bord Pleanála's final decision on the application. The oral hearing commenced in Carrickmacross in March. EirGrid contends the second interconnector is necessary to ensure adequate power flow between the two jurisdictions.