International academics will gather at the Hill of Tara site (Co. Meath, Ireland) on Sunday to protest against the M3 motorway planned for the area. Last month Environment Minister Dick Roche cleared the way for the construction of the project by issuing strict instructions to Meath County Council on how archaeological work is to be carried out.
     The international scholars, who are experts in Celtic studies, Irish history, Irish literature, linguistics, archaeology and anthropology, sent a petition to the Irish Government in April calling on it to re-route the motorway through the Tara/Skryne Valley. The academics are based in various European countries, the US and Canada, Australia and Russia. The project was approved by An Bord Pleanala two years ago, but many archaeologists and historians have argued that part of Ireland’s most important heritage site will be destroyed. Some visitors marking summer solstice celebrations at the Hill of Tara this week also held a silent protest at the motorway plans.

Source: Breaking News.ie (24 June 2005)