BALLYDUFF RESIDENTS UP IN ARMS OVER BROADBAND MAST

Ballyduff residents are threatening to hold a mobile phone company legally responsible if their farming enterprises become unviable.

A small group of concerned residents will this week meet with Hutchinson 3G, who are currently seeking planning permission to erect a mast at Knockananna, Ballyduff, Co Waterford. At the meeting they intend to outline clearly where the responsibility lies for damages incurred if the mast is permitted.

“We will hold them responsible if our homes and land are devalued, if our health or the health of our children should suffer and if our livelihoods, especially farming, become unviable within a 2 mile radius of the proposed mast,” explained Edel Woolrich from Ballyduff who resides very close to the proposed structure.

“There are sufficient and indeed superior technologies available such as satellite or cable which ensure excellent broadband coverage. It cannot be tolerated that, all over the country, certain communities should indeed be black-spots - where the people living there have no choice in their exposure to a much heightened level of radiation from the 3G masts and have to live with the consequences.”

The mast, which is to be located 2km north east of Ballyduff and visible from Conna, Tallow, Ballysaggart and Lismore will, it is anticipated, provide broadband for the community within a 5km radius.

At a public meeting in Ballyduff last Thursday night, Tipperary farmer, John Ryan, informed locals of the personal and professional implications of living within a 3 mile radius of a mast.

“John is from Drangan in County Tipperary and lived in close proximity to a 2G (second generation) mast for nearly 5 years. He explained that he is a dairy farmer with a herd of 90 cows.

"When the 2G mast started operating on his land in 2002 his cows became agitated and cross and did not want to stay in certain fields. His milk yield dropped from 90,000 gallons to 70,000 gallons and he had four deformed calves in one year while other cows aborted early in pregnancy. It was really frightening,” continued Ms Woolrich.

“Interestingly, John also noted that a herd of deer that had been present in the vicinity for years moved outside a 3 mile radius from the mast as it was turned on and only returned when the mast was turned off in 2007.”

Objections to the planning application must be received before Thursday of next week, October 1.

 

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