30 April 2001

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Sinn Fein Councillor wins High Court challenge

Sinn Fein Councillor, Arthur Morgan, was today successful in his bid to stop Louth County Council building an incinerator.  Cllr. Morgan took Louth County Council to the High Court following the Chairpersons declaration, at the January 15 meeting, to rescind an earlier decision which rejected the Draft North East Waste Management Plan.  That plan included the provision of an incinerator for the North East.  The Judge in the case ruled that the required two thirds majority was not met at that meeting and therefore he was ordering the quashing of the recinded motion.

Councillor Morgan said:

``I am very pleased with the outcome of this case.  I  went to the High Court reluctantly to protect the integrity of our council. The judgement against Louth County Council is a victory for local democracy.

``The fact of the matter is that this case need not have been taken because local councillors have always been prepared to adopt progressive waste management plans, which do not include incinerators.

``The Judges ruling is a vindication of each individual councillors vote and flies in the face of efforts of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Noel Dempsey, to curtail local democracy through legislation.

``The question must be asked why did Louth County Council management allow what was clearly an indefensible case to proceed to court, thus incurring large costs on the people of Louth - especially at a time when finances are urgently needed for housing, roads and lighting.''  ENDS

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