North Louth residents say ‘No to CPOs’ for Dundalk-Carlingford greenway

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

North Louth residents opposed to plans to the compulsory purchase of lands for the new Dundalk-Carlingford Greenway voiced their opposition at a national protest at Dáil Éireann this week.

The demonstration was led by the National Greenway Action Association, and lobby groups from around the country, including local IFA branches and members of the ‘Protect the Cooley Peninsula’ campaign.

It was timed to coincide with an Oireachtas Transport Committee meeting on Active Travel/Greenways.

A spokesperson for the Cooley Peninsula campaign said the event “marked a step in the right direction.”

"Alongside greenway groups from across the country we brought our campaign straight to the Dáil and the Transport Committee were left in no doubt where we stand. We oppose CPOs for greenways full stop!”

Louth TD, Paula Butterly joined the demonstration outside the Dail, and speaking afterwards she said: “I met with constituents outside Dail Eireann protesting the Compulsory Purchases of private land for the proposed Cooley Peninsula Greenway.”

“I wholeheartedly understand the constituents’ concerns. Many of these residents have held on to these parcels of land to pass on to their family members.”

She added: “We have fought hard to make sure that rural regeneration continues to flourish under this government. Notwithstanding changes to the County Development Plan in 2021, the Cooley Peninsula remains a restricted area in terms of housing. We therefore need to support landowners with their family living nearby.”

Deputy Butterly said: “It is hard to imagine a scenario where the suggested route will not cut through plots of land that were destined for the next generation.”

She highlighted: “The average cost of an acre in Cooley is €17,000 with the average cost of a site being between €100,000 and 150,000 in the Carlingford area.

No amount of compensation for CPO’d land will leave young couples in a position to make up the difference and buy a site in the Cooley Peninsula or buy a house in nearby towns.”