West Offaly group welcomes court order to shut down Wexford wind turbines

A group which has been campaigning in opposition to proposals for a windfarm development in West Offaly has welcomed a High Court ruling this week which ordered the shutdown of three wind turbines in Wexford.

News website The Journal yesterday (Thursday) reported that the High Court had ordered that three wind turbines in Wexford should be totally shut down due to noise nuisance.

The report said this was understood to be "the first time that a court in Ireland has ordered the total shutdown of a wind turbine".

In a statement on foot of the High Court ruling, the Lemanaghan Bog Heritage and Conservation Group described it as representing "a significant precedent" in Ireland's renewable energy landscape.

"This ruling underscores the pressing need for clear, legally binding regulations governing wind farm developments, particularly concerning setback distances from residential areas," stated the Lemanaghan group.

"Currently, Ireland operates under outdated guidelines from 2006, which suggest a minimum setback distance of 500 meters. However, these guidelines are not legally enforceable, leading to inconsistencies and disputes in wind energy planning."

The Lemanaghan group said that, along with other community and environmental organisations, it has been "actively campaigning for the establishment of statutory regulations that prioritise the well-being of residents and the preservation of Ireland's rich archaeological heritage."

In May 2024, members of the local group participated in a protest outside Dáil Éireann, advocating for stringent statutory regulations governing wind farm operations.

The group said the proposal from Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables to develop a wind farm at Lemanaghan Bog "has been a point of contention, with plans to erect 15 turbines, each up to 220 meters high, in an area renowned for its archaeological significance".

The proposed development would be situated between Ballycumber, Ferbane, Ballinahown, Doon and Pullough.

"Local residents and heritage groups argue that the development threatens the integrity of the bog's unique landscape and historical sites," said the Lemanaghan group.

The group's statement went on to say that, while its members support renewable energy initiatives, these developments "must not come at the expense of community health and heritage conservation".

"The recent court decision serves as a wake-up call for policymakers to prioritise the development of comprehensive legislation that safeguards both the environment and the rights of residents.

"Given the number of wind farms already in place across county Offaly, the group believes Offaly County Council has a clear duty of care to protect the health and wellbeing of its residents."

It called on the council to "adopt a more proactive stance in assessing planning applications and to demand greater accountability and transparency from developers" of wind farms.

"The Paris Agreement, which Ireland signed in 2015, outlines commitment to a 'just transition' — a concept that means moving toward a greener economy in a way that is fair, inclusive, and does not leave behind any person, community, or region.

"In essence, a just transition ensures that climate action improves lives, rather than causing new harm or inequality.

"The Paris Agreement says no one should be left behind — but right now, many rural communities like ours, feel exactly that.

"We’re being asked to carry the burden of national energy targets without proper protections in place," the statement from the Lemanaghan Bog Heritage and Conservation Group concluded.