Former Attorney General Challenges Slane Bypass Approval in High Court

A legal challenge spearheaded by former attorney general John Rogers is set to contest the planning approval for the Slane bypass in County Meath. The case will be heard in the High Court on January 15, 2026. Rogers, a senior counsel based in Crewbane, Slane, argues that the proposed bypass will significantly impact his lands, particularly the hydrology of the area, which includes critical flooding zones like Crewbane Marsh.

Rogers’ affidavit highlights that the planning authority, An Coimisiún Pleanála, failed to seek expert hydrologist advice regarding the implications of deep trenching required for the bypass route. He contends that when the commission approved Meath County Council’s application last June, it did so without a comprehensive expert report, which is essential for a project near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne. This site is renowned for its Neolithic passage tomb at Newgrange.

The current challenge contrasts sharply with a previous application for the same bypass, which was denied by An Bord Pleanála in 2012. Rogers notes that the refusal at that time was partly due to the proximity of the proposed road to the viewshed of the World Heritage site. The initial application had included a report from Dr. Douglas R. Comer, a former chief of the US National Parks Service, which provided insights that were absent in the latest review.

Rogers finds it particularly concerning that the latest Environmental Impact Assessment regarded the World Heritage site merely as “another factor” in route selection. He expressed his objections to the trenching through the Boyne Valley, insisting that there is no necessity for the bypass since the existing N33 was designed to alleviate traffic in areas such as Ardee, Collon, and Slane. He proposes that traffic congestion in Slane could be effectively reduced by restricting heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) from using the N2 route that passes through the village.

In response, Meath County Council maintains that the best course of action is to enhance the “sub-standard” national primary route and keep HGVs on it. Rogers argues that this ignores the fact that Slane already has access to the M1 and M3 motorways, which are more suitable for such traffic.

Represented by barrister Michael O’Donnell and instructed by solicitor Gabriel Toolan, Rogers’ case was presented before the High Court’s planning and environment list. Mr. Justice Richard Humphreys has emphasized the urgency of the case, given the local council’s eagerness for a swift resolution.

The proposed bypass aims to construct a 3.5-kilometer-long road around Slane village, featuring a dual carriageway and a 258-meter-long bridge over the River Boyne. The council asserts that the reasons for the 2012 refusal were addressed in the second application, which also reflects changes in design standards, government policies, and environmental legislation.

Traffic in Slane has long been a point of contention, with an estimated 17,000 vehicles passing through the village daily via the N2 and N51 routes. Over the years, there have been numerous calls for a bypass to enhance road safety. In a poignant demonstration of community concern, local residents erected 23 crosses at Slane Bridge in December 2023, commemorating the lives lost on the dangerous stretch of road known for its steep gradient.