Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has welcomed a unanimous cross-party decision from Armagh Banbridge & Craigavon (ABC) Council to discontinue planning permission for a controversial wind turbine at Cnoc Úibh Eachach (Knock Iveagh).

The South Down MP, who has been campaigning alongside local residents for several years has said this is a potential “watershed moment” in the ongoing campaign to protect this local site of national historical significance.

Chris Hazzard MP said:
“I welcome this cross-party decision from ABC Council to discontinue planning permission for a controversial wind turbine site at Cnoc Úibh Eachach (Knock Iveagh) and echo their call for planning authorities to take immediate action towards discontinuing planning permission.”Cnoc Úibh Eachach, or Knock Iveagh, is located in the ancient parishes of Drumballyroney & Annaclone; and was a focal point for some of the earliest tribe and clan communities in this part of Ireland.

“Indeed the name ‘Cnoc Úibh Eachach’ indicates that the site was considered the most important ‘cnoc’ or ‘knock’ in the historic kingdom of Iveagh. Historians believe that the summit was the likely inauguration site and ritual area for the Úi Echach Cobha tribe, and later the ‘Lords of Iveagh’, the prominent Magennis clan.

“A site of such unique and rich historical, ritual and archaeological significance should not be blighted by any form of development whose economic value is paltry compared to the unparalleled national significance of Cnoc Úibh Eachach, the ceremonial site at the centre of the ancient kingdom of Úibh Eachach Cobha.”Sinn Féin will continue to work to protect this historic heritage site.”