Former attorney general granted permission to appeal Slane bypass planning challenge
John Rogers, a former attorney general and senior counsel, brought a High Court judicial review challenging planning permission granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála to Meath County Council for a 3.5km N2 bypass at Slane, Co Meath. Rogers argued the commission lacked sufficient environmental expertise to assess impacts on petrifying streams and marshland on his land at Crewbane, Slane, and that the project would run adjacent to the Unesco Brú na Bóinne world heritage site. In April 2026, Judge David Nolan dismissed the challenge, finding Rogers had not discharged the burden of proof on an evidential basis despite expressing serious doubts about the commission's expertise. On 3 July 2026, the judge granted Rogers permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal to clarify two points of law.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court3 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- John Rogers, a former attorney general and senior counsel, brought a judicial review challenging planning permission for the N2 bypass at Slane.
- An Coimisiún Pleanála granted Meath County Council permission for the N2 bypass at Slane.
- The bypass would be 3.5km long around Slane village with a dual carriageway and a 258m bridge over the River Boyne.
- Rogers argued the commission lacked sufficient expertise to examine environmental impacts, including effects on petrifying streams and Crewbane Marsh on his land.
- Where
- The project would run adjacent to the Unesco Brú na Bóinne world heritage site including Newgrange.
- John Rogers lives at Crewbane, Slane, Co Meath.
- In court
- In April 2026, Judge David Nolan dismissed the High Court challenge, finding Rogers had not discharged the burden of proof on an evidential basis.
- On 3 July 2026, Judge David Nolan granted Rogers permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal to clarify two points of law.
8 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJohn Rogers is a former attorney general and senior counsel (irishtimes.com)
- whatAn Coimisiún Pleanála granted Meath County Council permission for the N2 bypass at Slane (irishtimes.com)
- whatPetrifying streams in Rogers's land would be affected by the development (irishtimes.com)
- whatCrewbane Marsh floods a number of times a year (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe bypass would be 3.5km long around Slane village with a dual carriageway and a 258m bridge over the River Boyne (irishtimes.com)
- whereJohn Rogers lives at Crewbane, Slane (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe project would run adjacent to the Unesco Brú na Bóinne world heritage site including Newgrange (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe High Court granted permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Jul2026Challenge to Slane bypass permission can go to Court of Appeal, judge rules
Reports that Judge David Nolan granted John Rogers permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal to clarify two points of law, after dismissing his High Court challenge in April 2026 on the basis that he had not discharged the burden of proof on an evidential basis.
victim, John Rogers, male, irish (judged from name)John Rogers