The Buncrana Mast Action Group delivered over a petition to the An Garda Síochána on Saturday last over the development of mobile network mast.
The group was formed by residents living beside or near Buncrana Garda Station in response to the OPW granting a license to a private Mobile Network Operator for the installation of 3G and 4G EMF equipment on the existing mast at Buncrana Garda Station.
The petition has to date gathered approx 589 signatures in support of our objections to the license and development.
The signatures have been collected mainly through door to door canvassing in the Buncrana area.
A spokesperson for the group said: “We ask you to take cognisance of the fact that there is a lot of opposition in the town that object to any private company installing 3G and 4G or any EMF equipment on the Garda mast.
“We also object to not being consulted or having input into the planning process especially since the plan could have adverse effects on residents’ health.
“A copy of the petition, along with our objections will be sent to An Garda Síochana, Office of Public Works and Donegal Planning Authority. We will also inform our public representatives as well as local media about the BGMAG Petition.
“In any normal planning process, this level of opposition would have a significant bearing on any planning decision. However, it seems that in this case, the development has been exempted by Ministerial orders from having to follow normal planning process. Residents have not been given the opportunity to present their case.
“This seems to be very much undemocratic and unfair. In fact, residents have been ignored entirely and not even consulted or informed.
“If this development is allowed to go ahead it will set a precedent allowing other companies use of the Garda mast. The mast will end up like the one at the West End, covered in EMR equipment and an utter eyesore.
“Buncrana will have two masts at either end of town which will at least double the amount of electromagnetic waves and radiation in their vicinity.
