Ardee Bypass decision may take several months

It may be several months before a decision on the Ardee Bypass is made by the High Court, councillors learned at the Louth County Council April meeting.

Cllr Dolores Minogue enquired at the April meeting, about the legal challenge to the bypass that took place in the High Court the previous week and when a decision might be made. The legal challenge related to An Bord Pleanála's decision that neither an Environmental Impact Assessment Report nor a Natura Impact Statement are required for the bypass that would cross Ardee Bog.

Senior Engineer with Louth County Council, Mr John O'Hagan, told the April meeting that not all the evidence was heard at last week's three day hearing in the High Court. The remaining days required to hear the evidence were being allocated in a court session that day, Mr O'Hagan added.

While welcoming the update on the High Court case, Cllr Minogue told the Dundalk Democrat that, "I am disappointed that the three days were not enough time to move this case to a final decision."