Battery Station Awareness Group Protests Outside Council Meeting

Banner bearing: Seán O’Rourke (left) and Chairman Fred O’Sullivan leading the protestors at the Ballinahulla Battery Awareness Group Protest at Áras an Chontae in Tralee today. ©Photograph: John Reidy

At the Ballinahulla Battery Awareness Group Protest at Áras an Chontae in Tralee today were: Charlie Farrelly, Independent candidate, Castleisland Local Election Area; Paddy O’Donoghue, Gneeveguilla; Kate McSweeney, Sinn Féin candidate Castleisland Local Election Area; Denny McSweeney, Currow; John Bell, Gneeveguilla and Maurice O’Sullivan. Ballinahulla. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Mae Cremin, Headford was among the protesters at the Ballinahulla Battery Awareness Group Protest at Áras an Chontae in Tralee today. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Fred O’Sullivan, Gneeveguilla is the chairman of the Ballinahulla Battery Awareness Group and hes pictured at the protest at Áras an Chontae in Tralee today. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Killarney Local Election Area Sinn Féin candidate, john Buckley (centre right) pictured with: Patricia and David Campbell, Toureencahill and Bernie O’Rourke, Ballydesmond at the Ballinahulla Battery Awareness Group Protest at Áras an Chontae today. Photograph: John Reidy

Maurice O’Sullivan, Ballinahulla pictured at the Ballinahulla Battery Awareness Group Protest at Áras an Chontae in Tralee today. ©Photograph: John Reidy

James Cooke, Barna, Scartaglin was awake on time to stand with the protesters at the Ballinahulla Battery Awareness Group Protest at Áras an Chontae in Tralee today. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Kerry Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris with local election candidates, Kate McSweeney, Castleisland area and and Killarney area candidate, John Buckley standing with the protesters at the Ballinahulla Battery Awareness Group Protest at Áras an Chontae in Tralee today. ©Photograph: John Reidy

A Cork / Kerry border straddling community has upped its presence and opposition to the siting of a large energy battery storage compound in its midst.

A Kerry County Council planning process which refused permission to locals who submitted home building applications over the past few years was being questioned by many at this morning’s peaceful protest outside Áras Choundae.

Sudden Announcement

People are beginning to question the integrity and validity of these refusals now in the light of the sudden announcement and likely approval of this battery storage station.

The community, united under the Sliabh Luachra banner and mindset, feels it’s time to stand up and take action.

‘Council’s Two Mistakes’

A group member said that Kerry County Council made two serious mistakes in the lead up to this morning’s protest;

“One was by granting permission for these dangerous monstrosities and the other was to underestimate our community.”
While another said that the sense of outrage they feel at the betrayal of their community by Kerry County Council is beyond words.

A Rallying Call

As a rallying call for this morning’s protest meeting in Tralee the community Facebook page called on its members to be there.

WE NEED YOU THERE !!!! the headline screamed.

“There will be a public protest re: the proposed Ballinahulla Battery Storage Compound, on Monday May 20th at 10am sharp, outside the Kerry County Council Buildings, Rathass, Tralee.
All Kerry County Councillors will meet for their final monthly meeting before the upcoming local elections.

It is time to unite and let Kerry County Council hear that this Battery Storage Compound will not be coming into our Community.
Please turn up if you can and show your support.”

And they did in great numbers in spite of the fact that it was held on one of the busiest mornings of most people’s working week.

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