A highly important and unique national monument, consisting of a Bronze Age complex of underground beehive-shaped caverns (above), connected by a series of interconnected passageways, has been removed from the pathway of the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara, Co Meath, Republic of Ireland.

Roestown was a stop-off point for the High Kings on the way to the Hill of Tara from the royal residence. It lies around a mile north of Dunshaughlin, where the M3 motorway will intersect the N3.

Solicitors' letters had been sent to Meath County Council, the Minister for the Environment, and the National Roads Authority in February, putting them on notice that this newly discovered site was a national monument. They were warned that destroying it would be a violation of the the State's constitutional duty to protect the national heritage, and that under the National Monuments Act all work on the site should cease and it should be reported to the Director of the National Museum.

Instead of reporting the newly discovered national monument to the National Museum, the authorities have rushed in and demolished the site, before an injunction could be placed on it. Further legal advice will be taken on how to proceed. Efforts will be stepped up to legally protect all of the 38 newly discovered sites in the Tara region that remain intact.

In February, The Hill of Tara Complex was nominated to the 100 Most Endangered Sites List, published by the World Monuments Fund in New
York, and a decision is expected in June. If it is placed on the list, it is conclusive evidence that Tara is a site worthy of UNESCO World Heritage Site protection.

Vincent Salafia of TaraWatch said:

"The secret demolition of Roestown is an illegal act, and there will be consequences.
"This is the Saint Patrick's Day gift that the Irish Government has given to Irish people around the world. Shame on them."

"While the Government Ministers are swanning around the globe, preaching the gospel of climate change, at home they are advancing one of the most environmentally and culturally damaging projects ever conceived.