Roche: I did Greens a favour by opting for M3
JEROME REILLY
THREE weeks of rain would have completely washed away what remains of the Stone Age wooden 'henge' recently discovered in Meath, archaeological experts told former Environment Minister Dick Roche before he made his decision to build the M3 motorway over the monument.
In his controversial last act as minister, Mr Roche opted to continue work on the Meath M3 motorway after consulting with experts. Mr Roche decided to accept the recommendation that the new National Monument found at Lismullen should be preserved 'by record' - in other words, studied in detail and then the motorway will be built as scheduled.
A source close to the Minister suggested that there was nothing left to preserve at the Lismullen site but "a few holes in the ground".
"The site is on exceptionally sandy soil and would be washed away completely within weeks," he said.
The new Green Minister for Environment, John Gormley, has conceded that he could not revoke Mr Roche's order.
Mr Roche claimed he had done Mr Gormley a favour. "Any minister sitting in my office in the Custom House looking at that file and having to make a decision would have made the decision I have made. I did the man some service by not passing the buck," he said.
