Courts / Dublin / Report

Judge to return judgement in airport runway challenges "as soon as possible"

Date
2017-10-18

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In the High Court, Mr Justice Max Barrett reserved judgment in separate proceedings challenging Fingal County Council's decision to extend planning permission for a new €320 million, 3,110-metre runway at Dublin Airport. The applicants include the environmental group Friends of the Irish Environment and 22 individual residents, most of whom reside on Kilreesk Lane in St Margaret's, Co Dublin. A third related action was brought by the St Margaret's Concerned Residents Group against the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). The DAA and Ryanair are notice parties in the proceedings, while the respondents and notice parties have opposed the actions. The challenges target the council's decision to extend the DAA's planning permission to construct the second runway, which is located on townlands north and north-west of the airport terminal. Following the conclusion of submissions on Wednesday, the judge stated he would deliver his decision "as soon as possible," acknowledging the parties' anxiety for a resolution. He noted the significant volume of submissions and documents in the three cases, which commenced on October 3rd. The court has previously reserved its decision in the third challenge brought by the St Margaret's Concerned Residents Group. The matter remains pending, with the judge indicating that his review of the extensive legal submissions would now begin.