Community attends information evening ahead of public inquiry

WITH the public inquiry on plans to build a goldmine near Greencastle to begin later this year, more than 100 local people gathered in a hillside hall in the Sperrin Mountains on Sunday night.

As darkness settled over the slopes, people of all ages shuffled into a meeting in Greencastle Community Centre, hosted by anti-goldmine coalition, Save Our Sperrins (SOS).

Organisers outlined the format September’s public inquiry will take, and, crucially, described how local people can ensure their voices are heard by the commissioners charged with writing the final report.

In addition, those in attendance were advised on the part they could play in the pre-inquiry, set to take place in the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, towards the end of March.

Dalradian, the multi-million pound mining corporation that has been prospecting the site for over a decade, maintains their plans will be subject to ‘stringent’ environmental and safety regulations.

They also claim the mine will provide a huge boost to the local economy.

However, the plan has been met with zealous opposition – spearheaded by SOS – over fears of the impact that the mine will have on ‘an area of outstanding natural beauty’.

The public inquiry will see a team of commissioners review the implications of granting planning permission, including the likely economic and environmental outcomes, before writing a report to that effect.

That document produced will then be given to the government departments concerned with the project, such as the Department for Infrastructure and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

However, while statutory bodies are encouraged to use public inquiry findings to inform their decision-making, they are not legally- bound to act on the directions suggested.

On Sunday night, addressing the crowd – which was mainly made up of people from the alpine village and surrounding countryside – SOS secretary, Fidelma O’Kane said, “The next important date for us is the pre-inquiry, which will be in the Strue Arts Centre on March 20 at 10.30am.

“During that, they will outline the arrangements for the public inquiry which will start in September.

“This will not be an opportunity to discuss pros and cons of the goldmine, but rather how it will be conducted, what will be discussed and how long it will last.

“We want people to come to that meeting. It will be available on YouTube, but if you are able to it would be better to turn up in person.”

After that, the next key date was identified at May 17.

“That is when all ‘statements of case’ have to be submitted by,” said Ms O’Kane.

“A statement of case is what gives each of you the opportunity to make your own personal and unique set of arguments against the goldmine.

“This is the device that enables you to make your claims and provide supporting evidence, whether that be laws on the protection of habitats, local development plans, documents from the World Health Organisation (WHO), or whatever helps you prove your point.”

Ms O’Kane outlined some of the most common objections held against the goldmine by community members, including worries over pollution of the Owenkillew and Owenreagh rivers, the destruction of local bogland, the desecration of sites of historical significance, and a likely rise in insurance costs.

“I feel inspired by a quote from JFK: ‘One person can make a difference and everyone should try’.

“This is not our last bite at the cherry, either. Depending on the way this public inquiry goes, we may take a Judicial Review,” she concluded.

Chairing the meeting was Louise Taylor, a prominent Lough Neagh campaigner, and fellow speakers included Mary Brolly of Brolly and Jameson Solicitors, Marella Fyffe, SOS chairperson, and Sinéad Ní Mhearnóg, a local mother.

Louise Taylor said, “I look at these plans and I think of the children and the future. The rapid industrialisation of the west needs to be slowed down.

“These really beautiful spaces are being destroyed. We all appreciate the work Fidelma is doing, but we all need to help.”

On the Saturday after Easter, SOS will be hosting a clinic to help people complete their statements of case, where planners and legal representatives will help locals finesse their articles of objection.