LOCALS in Drumcondra are furious after being told a 30-metre mast erected adjacent to their homes last month is there to stay despite numerous objections.
The radio mast was erected overnight by Iarnród Éireann on an embankment at St Anne’s Road on March 14.
Residents say they were shocked when they woke the next morning and saw it towering over their homes as they had been meeting with Irish Rail officials about tidying up the embankment and had no idea the mast was being planned.
“I woke my kids for school, opened the bedroom window curtain and couldn’t believe what I saw,” said local resident, Liam Coll.
“None of the neighbours I spoke with were aware that this mast was due to arrive.
“It beggars belief that a 36-metre mast can be installed with zero consultation or a planning notice or even a proper courtesy notice given to residents.”
Iarnród Éireann say residents had been alerted to the plans but admits the information provided “should have been more timely and clearer on the nature of the mast”.
A letter distributed around the area before the works were carried out says “an antenna” was to be installed on the site, but gives no indication of its size.
The Iona District Residents’ Association has lodged a complaint with Dublin City Council but the mast is classed as an exempt development on safety grounds.
Dublin North West TD Dessie Ellis (SF) and party colleague Cllr Cathleen Carney-Boud met with a residents’ representative and have also submitted a complaint to the council’s planning enforcement officials.
“The planning department is carrying out their procedure to investigate the complaint, which takes a few weeks,” said Cllr Carney-Boud. “I will then follow up with an update for residents.”
In response to questions posed by Sinn Fein, Iarnród Éireann acknowledged that, in hindsight, “clearly there should have been earlier consultation with residents”.
The response also admits the contracted project team for the mast was unaware that Iarnród Éireann officials were in discussions with residents about rail related issues on the site while the installation was being planned.
Iarnród Éireann told Northside People that the radio mast provides safety critical communications between train drivers and controlling signalman and is needed to replace an exisiting, obsolete system.
“The system is licensed by ComReg and complies with all relevant legislation and licensing requirements,” a spokesperson said.
“Radio masts are provided alongside rail lines at intervals dictated by the surrounding topology to provide 100 per cent radio coverage of the rail routes. A radio site is required at Drumcondra in order to ensure the 100 per cent coverage of the line in this area.”
The spokesperson said residents had been provided with contact details in relation to the works in advance of the installation but added: “We do accept feedback from residents in relation to ensuring the information should have been more timely and clearer on the nature of the mast.”
Fine Gael representatives for Dublin North West, Noel Rock TD and Cllr Norma Sammon, called on Irish Rail to move the mast to a more appropriate location.
“Deputy Rock and I will be working hard to make sure this mast is moved and downscaled,” said Cllr Sammon. “It is unfair on local residents to have such an eyesore on their community. Despite its importance, I believe it can be moved to a more suitable location that will still allow 100 per cent radio coverage along the rail route.”
