Ryanair loses High Court challenge to Dublin Airport tunnel plan
Ryanair dropped its High Court challenge to An Bord Pleanála's decision to approve a €200 million underground cargo tunnel at Dublin Airport, with Mr Justice Richard Humphreys dismissing the case on 14 February 2025, finding no factual basis that the project could jeopardise good water status under the Water Framework Directive.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court14 Feb
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAngela Feeney is a Kildare county councillor and candidate in the Seanad election (irishtimes.com)
- whatFeeney wants the Seanad results overturned and a recount ordered (irishtimes.com)
- whatFeeney claims a full recount should have been ordered rather than a repeat of the 23rd count (irishtimes.com)
- whatFeeney was eliminated after the 23rd count (irishtimes.com)
- whatFeeney and her agents were not allowed to be present at the rerun of the 23rd count (irishtimes.com)
- whatEach valid Seanad ballot paper is deemed to have a value of 1,000 votes (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe total valid poll for the agricultural panel was 95,667 votes (irishtimes.com)
- whatFeeney requested a full recount but the returning officer declined (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe agricultural panel election is for 11 members (irishtimes.com)
- whatFeeney believes the counting was not in accordance with the 1947 Electoral Act (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe tunnel is needed to improve access and safety on the airfield and facilitate segregation of aircraft and ground vehicles. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe tunnel project costs €200 million. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe proceedings could be served on the clerk of the Seanad, who was also the returning officer (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Minister for Local Government, the Attorney General and other candidates can also be served (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case is scheduled to return later in February 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Richard Humphreys dismissed the challenge in a judgment on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtRyanair argued the development is inconsistent with the Dublin Airport Local Area Plan as it requires the loss of two aircraft stands. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge said the airline misapplied Section 37(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Feb2025Ryanair loses challenge to Dublin Airport tunnel plan
Mr Justice Humphreys dismissed Ryanair's challenge, rejecting arguments on the Water Framework Directive, the Climate Action Plan, bat impact, and the loss of two aircraft stands under the Dublin Airport Local Area Plan.
- 14 Feb2025Labour councillor takes High Court challenge over Seanad vote count
Reports that Mr Justice Mícheál P O'Higgins granted Feeney ex parte permission to bring her High Court petition on 14 February 2025, with the case returning later in the month. Feeney claims the margin between her and Fine Gael's Maria Byrne was .116 of a ballot and that subsequent counts were conducted in a manner that prevented agents from observing the counting.
victim, Angela Feeney, female, irish (judged from name)Angela Feeneyvictim, Maria Byrne, female, irish (judged from name)Maria Byrne