Controversial rail mast is taken down

RESIDENTS in Drumcondra have been praised for their efforts in successfully campaigning to have a 30-metre antenna removed from an embankment at St Anne’s Road. 

Cranes moved into the area last week to take down the radio mast that was erected by Iarnród Éireann overnight on March 14 last, much to the dismay of locals who said they were gobsmacked to see the metal structure towering over their homes.

The Iona District Residents’ Association lodged a complaint to Dublin City Council but Iarnród Éireann believed the radio mast was classed as an exempt development on safety grounds.

Undeterred, residents in the area began a well-organised campaign putting pressure on local politicians and public officials to have the mast taken down.

An objection was lodged with the council, despite Iarnród Éireann’s assertion that the radio mast was an essential upgrade needed to provide safety critical communications between train drivers and controlling signalman.

Last month Dublin City Council has issued Iarnród Éireann with an enforcement order demanding the mast’s removal by November 11, but residents feared the decision was going to be appealed.

However, locals were informed by Irish Rail contractors at the beginning of the month that the mast would be taken down on Monday, November 7, and there was much relief in the area when the cranes moved in that night.

Cllr Cathleen Carney Boud (SF), who was one of the politicians who made representations to the council on behalf of residents, said the end result showed that ‘people power’ works.

“This is a great victory for the people of Drumcondra,” she added.