A farming organisation is warning that a successful environmental challenge to a proposed flood alleviation scheme in Roscommon could be the beginning of more and more challenges to key infrastructural projects.
The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) is warning of ongoing consequences for rural communities as a result of the Natura 2000 designations.
They claim that only now are the special environmental rules being used to oppose infrastructure projects here which it was previously thought would only impact farmers or turf cutters.
INHFA spokesperson Brendan Joyce says legal challenges to on foot of EU Special Conservation or Protection laws can be very frustrating for rural communities who need vital investment