Campaigners against wind farm in rural Limerick lobby Dail hopefuls
Three local TDs respond to questionnaire
CAMPAIGNERS against a proposed new wind farm development in Coolcappa have sought the views of the 15 hopefuls seeking Dail election in Limerick County next week.
The Coolcappa Community Action Group was set up off the back of plans by the Adare-based Ballynisky Green Energy company plans to locate six wind turbines that are 158m tall across a number of fields by the village.
They are bracing themselves for a formal planning application from the firm, and have outlined a series of concerns including shadow flicker, which occurs when the sun is low enough in the sky that wind turbines pass it causing a brief shadow over landscapes and buildings every few seconds.
For its part, the developer has said the turbines are designed with technology which prevents shadow flicker - a claim disputed by the Community Action Group.
They requested Dail hopefuls answer a series of questions including whether wind farms should adhere to noise guidance, eliminate shadow flicker, and whether the HSE would retrospectively review all wind farm applications from a public health perspective.
Five general election candidates had responded: sitting TDs Niall Collins, Patrick O'Donovan aand Richard O’Donoghue, alongside Sinn Fein’s Joanne Collins and Jim Barrett, Independent.
The quartet provided supportive statements to the action group.