Pylon the pressure on Eirgrid

Organised by the North East Pylon Pressure campaign(NEPP), the demonstration took place at Dennis Farrelly"s farm in Kilmainhamwood. Five columns of tractors, eventually numbering almost a thousand, started off at 9am from five locations in Meath, Cavan and Monaghan before converging on Kilmainhamwood in the early afternoon. About 400 veteran tractors spelled out the message 'No Pylons"' in 100 foot high letters in the venue at Kilmainhamwood. The NEPP campaign claims to represents 45,000 peoople in Monaghan, Meath and Cavan who favour putting ultra high voltage electricity cables underground because, they say, it"s more cost effective, safer and better for the environment. The group"s chairman, Francis Lally, said Monday"s demonstration underlined the depth of feeling on the issue among farmers and rural communities. Farmers travelled to the location from such diverse places in the three counties as Annyalla, Muff and Navan. Organising committee member Colin Andrew, who spoke at the demonstration, said there were 'concerns over the possible health implications for living so close to these pylons, as well as the possible liability associated with having them on your land if problems develop in the future.' Mr. Andrew said the sheer size of the pylons 'would be a major blight on the countryside'. John Keogan who resides in Kilmainhamwood Village told The Anglo Celt that his children are in the local Creche. He said he had strong objections to the pylons going overground for health reasons. He added that there were a lot of worries about the health implications of these structures going over ground and he was not prepared to put his children at risk. He also expressed concerned about the fact that such structures would devalue people"s property in the area. A number of residents from Muff also said they were worried about the proximity of the proposed pylons to the local primary school and the affect it could have on children"s health.