As readers of this blog are well aware, I have for a while now followed the longstanding dispute between the two Declans â Declan McGrath, well-known author and conservationist, and Declan Mulhearne, the Chairperson of the Comeragh Community Development Group (CCDG).
 My coverage of this local dispute has come at some personal cost, having been the subject of a number of personal and vicious attacks from one of the individuals involved in constructing the âMahon Falls Highwayâ.
 The dispute between the Declans came about as a result of an illegal road constructed by the CCDG through the scenic Mahon Falls valley (Colm Mahon).
 Declan McGrath first appealed this matter to the Waterford City&County Council, who did not react for a long time (subsequently explained by the fact that they were funding the illegal development.
He thereafter appealed the matter to An Bord Pleanala (âthe ABPâ).
 The ABP ruled quite clearly and unconditionally that the road is indeed illegal and that it is not an exempted development, as originally claimed to me by Declan Mulhearne.
âAND WHEREAS An Bord PleanĂĄla has concluded that: (a) he construction of a road is development as defined in section 3(1) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, and (b) he construction of a road is not exempted development NOW THEREFORE An Bord PleanĂĄla, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 5 (3) (a) of the 2000 Act, hereby decides that construction of a road at Coum Mahon, Mahon Valley, County Waterford is development and is not exempted developmentâ.
 The ABP Inspector highlighted the anomaly that public funds were used for a private development on privately owned land and commonage:
âWith regard to the question of whether it is or is not exempted development, a relevant consideration is whether the works were carried out as part of the works of statutory undertaker or public body (Article 80). It appears public funding was used for the works, and the report from the planning authority does not address the issue, but it seems clear to me that it was undertaken by a private body on privately owned lands (which are not part of Coilte works), and the land is not part of the public highway, and is not part of an existing private street, road or way, and as such is not exempted under Schedule 2, Part 1, Class 13. 8.2.2. The land, while open and a mix of privately owned land and (possibly) commonage, is not a park, open space or ornamental garden, or used for athletics or sports. It is open ground used seemingly for sheep grazing, or is untended heath/bog. As such, I do not consider that it is exempt under Schedule 2 Part 1 Class 33. 8.3. As such, I do not consider that the development come within these, or any other exemption class and so is not exempted development.â
The APB Inspector was even more forthright and scathing of the antics of the CCDG and its blatant disregard for the environmental sanctity of this once beautiful and protected area:
8.4.1. Notwithstanding the issue of my assessment above of the works not being exempted development, works are not exempt if they would require an EIS or NIS. 8.4.2. The structure is in excess of 2 km, so would, under Schedule 5, Part 2, Class 10(dd) (private roads in excess of 2000 metres) require screening, and while I acknowledge some ambiguity about the nature of the structure, I would consider, having regard also to the provisions of Schedule 7 of the Regulations, that there is a reasonable likelihood that it would require an EIS, especially having regard to the likely environmental impact of the works and the cumulative impact with the hydroelectric scheme (which was granted permission in 2005 with an EIS). 8.4.3. The issue of Appropriate Assessment is much more straightforward. I would refer to Board to the document âAssessment of Impacts on Comeragh Mountains cSACâ dated Dec. 2015, competed by Wetland Surveys Ireland on behalf of the Council. On the basis of my site visit, I can confirm that the survey details of the impacts are consistent with my observations. The upper levels of the works run directly through part of the designated SAC. There is no question but that the works have caused significant direct effect on heathland (Annex I habitat) within the designated SAC by way of direct excavation and coverage by spoil â the report estimates that around 0.4 ha. of Annex 1 habitat has been destroyed â I would consider this an accurate assessment. There is also visible evidence of run-off to the stream, which includes another Annex 1 habitat ââfloating river vegetationâ. As such, as there is the significant disruption/destruction of habitat identified as âDry Heathâ [4030] and âWet Heathâ [4010], there is a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site in view of the sites conservation objectives. An NIS would therefore have been required. As such, the works cannot be considered to be exempted development by virtue of Article 9(i)(viiB) as it would have required an NIS.
 Despite these conclusive and damning findings by the ABP, the Comeragh Community Development Group still had the audacity to recently respond to this Report by stating in a local newspaper that this monstrosity that is carved into protected land was a âwoodland walkâ.
Does this sound like a âwoodland walkâ?:
âIt is around 3-5 metres in width, very unevenly surfaced, with open cross-drains. It is approximately 2,700 metres in length.â
(The ABP Inspectorâs Report).
 Does this look like a âwoodland walkâ? (The only woodland on this road is the smashed woodland caused by the digger when digging the road).
 Shame on you CCDG. It surely must be the end of the road.
 The End of the Road â for the CCDG As readers of this blog are well aware, I have for a while now followed the longstanding dispute between the two Declans â âŚ
