Former attorney general to challenge Slane bypass planning approval in High Court
John Rogers, a former attorney general and senior counsel of Crewbane, Slane, Co Meath, is challenging the planning approval for a 3.5km bypass around Slane village in the High Court. An Coimisiún Pleanála approved Meath County Council's application for the road project, which includes a dual carriageway and a 258m bridge over the River Boyne, in June 2025. Rogers argues in an affidavit that the commission did not obtain expert hydrologist advice on the impact of proposed deep trenching on his lands, where petrifying streams and Crewbane Marsh are affected. The case was listed on the High Court's planning and environment list on 15 September 2025, and Mr Justice Richard Humphreys fixed a hearing date for 15 January 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court15 Sep
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- John Rogers, a former attorney general and senior counsel, is challenging the planning approval for the Slane bypass in Co Meath.
- The road project involves a 3.5km bypass around Slane village including a dual carriageway and a 258m bridge over the River Boyne.
- Rogers argues An Coimisiún Pleanála did not obtain expert hydrologist advice about the impact of proposed deep trenching on his lands.
- An Coimisiún Pleanála approved Meath County Council's application for planning permission in June 2025.
- There was no oral hearing for the second planning application.
- Where
- The road project is adjacent to the Unesco Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site, which includes the Neolithic passage tomb at Newgrange.
- John Rogers is from Crewbane, Slane, Co Meath.
- When
- The case was listed on the High Court's planning and environment list on 15 September 2025.
- In court
- Mr Justice Richard Humphreys fixed a hearing date for 15 January 2026.
- Other details
- An estimated 17,000 vehicles travel through Slane village daily via the N2 and N51.
- In December 2023, local residents erected 23 crosses at Slane Bridge to commemorate the deaths of 23 people on the stretch of road.
- The 2012 board had commissioned a report by Dr Douglas R Comer, a former chief of the US national parks service.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJohn Rogers is a former attorney general and senior counsel challenging the Slane bypass planning approval. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPetrifying streams on his lands are particularly affected and Crewbane Marsh floods a number of times a year. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAn Coimisiún Pleanála had not obtained expert hydrologist advice about the impact of proposed deep trenching. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe 2012 board had commissioned a report by Dr Douglas R Comer, a former chief of the US national parks service. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThere was no oral hearing for the second planning application. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe road project involves construction of a 3.5km-long bypass around Slane village including a dual carriageway and a 258m-long bridge over the River Boyne. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAn estimated 17,000 vehicles travel through the village daily via the N2 and N51. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIn December 2023, local residents erected 23 crosses at Slane Bridge to commemorate the deaths of 23 people on the stretch of road. (irishtimes.com)
- whereJohn Rogers is from Crewbane, Slane. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe road project is adjacent to the Unesco Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site, which includes the Neolithic passage tomb at Newgrange. (irishtimes.com)
- whereSlane is at the crossroads of the N2 linking Dublin to Derry and the N51 linking Delvin to Drogheda via Navan. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Richard Humphreys fixed a hearing date for 15 January 2026. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Sep2025Former attorney general to challenge Slane bypass planning approval in High Court
Article reports that the case was listed on the High Court's planning and environment list on 15 September 2025 and that Mr Justice Richard Humphreys fixed a hearing date for 15 January 2026, with the council expressing anxiety that the case be heard quickly.
accused, John Rogers, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Rogers