Father of four fears for children’s health over proposed East Galway wind farm

As a member of the Coxtown Protection Committee, Francis Hardiman said his greatest concern is the potential impact on young families living near the proposed development.

“My main concern is my four small children,” he said.

“They could suffer health implications and sleep disturbance. We have a considerable amount of young families in the area. They are mainly the ones we are trying to protect.”

The proposed site for the project is approximately 2.7 kilometres west of Kiltormer and 6.4 kilometres southeast of Cappataggle.

Mr Hardiman and his wife, Anne Marie Hayes, have four young children and are among residents from Mullagh, Kiltormer and Cappataggle who have come together against the Coxtown Renewable Energy Development.

The project, which is being advanced by Cork-based Enerco Energy Limited, would involve up to six wind turbines with a maximum height of 180 metres from ground to blade tip.

Mr Hardiman said the size and scale of the development, and its close proximity to many homes in the locality, were causing considerable concern.

“We are not really happy with it,” he said.

“Our parish takes in those three separate parishes. There are 58 houses within one kilometre of the proposed turbines.”

Mr Hardiman compared the plans with Cushaling Wind Farm in County Offaly, where nine turbines with 162-metre rotor diameters have been installed.

“There is only one other place where turbines of this size are installed, and that is in Cushaling in Offaly,” he said.

According to the developer, the proposed Coxtown turbines would have an intended minimum setback of 720 metres from properties not involved in the development.

A shorter distance of 500 metres may apply to properties participating in the project.

The Coxtown Protection Committee was formed in June this year.

Since its inception, the group has held two public meetings and raised more than €35,000 towards its campaign.

Mr Hardiman said the money would help pay for expert advice and assessments when the proposed development enters the planning process.

“We are residents in the local area, that is all we are,” he said.

“We have had two public meetings and fundraised very well which will go towards hiring experts.”

“We are objecting on the grounds of excessive construction traffic, domestic and well-water security and visual amenity.”

The group has also raised concerns about noise, health, shadow flicker, property values and wildlife in the surrounding countryside.

“The closer you get to the turbine, the more you are affected by shadow flicker,” said Mr Hardiman.

“Noise and health are the two main ones and there is a number of rare species down there that will be destroyed as well.”

He said the continued use of older wind energy guidelines was another source of frustration for residents.

“The 2019 are draft guidelines only, so the 2006 guidelines remain in force, which were originally for turbines of an 80m height,” he said.

“It’s very much the Government that need to take ownership of this and revise the guidelines.”

In a letter to Mr Hardiman dated August 24, the Department of Housing confirmed that the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.

The letter, issued from the office of Fine Gael Minister of State John Cummins, said work on updated noise guidance was “now substantially complete”.

However, no date was given for the introduction of new guidelines.

The Coxtown Protection Committee has brought its concerns to local TDs and Galway County Councillors.

At their recent public meeting, the group met with Independent Minister of State Seán Canney, Fianna Fáil TD Albert Dolan, Fine Gael TD Peter Roche and Sinn Féin TD Louis O’Hara and Fianna Fáil Senator Shane Curley.

Galway County Councillors Jimmy McClearn (FG), Michael Regan (FF), Declan Kelly (Ind Ire) and Geraldine Donohue (Ind) also attended.

“They are all very supportive of us,” said Mr Hardiman.

Land Registry records show that land in Killoran, previously held in public ownership dating back to 1938 and subsequently registered to the HSE, was registered to Enerco Energy Limited on July 28, 2026.

Mr Hardiman believes the land could be important in providing access to part of the proposed wind farm site and the issue was raised at the public meeting.

“I couldn't see where else they would get access across the bog,” he said.

According to the committee, local political representatives requested further details about the land.

And Mr Hardiman believes the proposed development risks creating divisions within the three rural parishes.

“This is something that shouldn’t be allowed to take place and is happening all over rural Ireland,” he said.

“The main aim is to try to stop this development in a rural area. This is an industrial development in a rural setting, it shouldn’t be allowed to go ahead.”

The group expects a planning application to be submitted shortly by the developer.

Enerco Energy Limited says the proposed Coxtown Renewable Energy Development would contribute to Ireland’s renewable energy targets and help reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The company estimates that the six turbines would have a combined generating capacity of approximately 36 megawatts.

It says the development could create direct and indirect employment and generate income for Galway County Council through commercial rates.

The developer also estimates that a community benefit fund could provide approximately €220,000 a year for the first 15 years of operation.

The amount would depend on the electricity generated and would be intended to support projects in the surrounding community.

The company says noise and shadow flicker assessments will form part of the planning application.

As the proposed development is below 50 megawatts, the application is expected to be submitted to Galway County Council.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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