Buncrana residents protest against Garda mast plan for 3G & 4G antennas

Buncrana residents protest against the decision by OPW to grant a license to a private company to erect 3G & 4G antennas on the existing Garda mast at Buncrana Garda station. Residents feel let down by the planning system which gives undue influence to telecommunication companies over their rights to a healthy home environment. The residents demand that this development should be stopped because of the overwhelming scientific proof that these antennas can damage health.

The Buncrana Garda Mast Action Group and 5G Inishowen Awareness held a protest outside Buncrana Garda station last Saturday May 11. The protest was in support of local residents opposed to plans by an American private company Shared Access to erect 3G and 4G wireless antennas on the station's mast.

James Quigley, who lives approx 100 yards from Garda station mast said that he only learnt, in the last couple of weeks, that the OPW granted a license last October. “The OPW hadn’t the courtesy to inform us and there was never any consultation with residents. I am in the process of trying to find out what rights I have especially in defense of the health of my family. However, I am finding it very difficult to get information. Apparently this development and the OPW may be exempted from the normal planning process. I am questioning this exemption and the fact that we residents have no say. I can not see how it is fair. I believe there is a question mark over whether it should be exempted at all and or whether there should have been a consultation process in the first place. There seems to be a major conflict of interest here since the Government will be paid by the company for use of the mast, yet it is the Government who oversee the planning process”

According to the Dept of Housing, Planning and Local Government the 1996 Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines for Planning Authorities are still in force but amended in certain sections by Circular PL07/12.

According to Electro Magnetic Sense Ireland the Government have watered down legislation in favour of the telecommunication companies. In 2012 the Minister removed separation distance from vulnerable places as a condition as well as stating that health grounds should not be considered as part of the planning application. A further update in 2018 on the planning guidelines allow for higher structures and more antennae and dishes on masts, giving even more leeway to telecommunications companies.

BGMAG spokesman, Mr Quigley said “Imagine having no rights to object to something that could potentially kill me and my family. How come the Government were allowed to get away with that? “

BGMAG has written to OPW requesting clarification about the development and to at least lodge an objection. So far they have not received an answer from OPW. A Freedom of Information request was sent this week for a copy of the license and relevant legislation. Initially they sent Donegal County Council Planning a Section 5 Exempted Development form.

Mr Quigley said that the Section 5 form seems to be the only legal avenue there is, at present, to object or query the development. It potentially could be a route to An Bord Planala. Failing this, he said, they could pursue EU legislation since it is clear that the Government is ignoring health grounds.

If anyone has any doubts or has not heard about the dangers of wireless, Radio Microwave Radiation or EMF technology read Prof Tom Butler, University College Cork,- On the Clear Evidence of the Risks to Childrenfrom Smartphone and WiFi Radio Frequency Radiation or the International EMF Scientist Appeal which states:

”Numerous recent scientific publications have shown that EMF affects living organisms at levels well below most international and national guidelines. Effects include increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans. Damage goes well beyond the human race, as there is growing evidence of harmful effects to both plant and animal life.”

Members of 5G Inishowen Awareness.


5G Inishowen Awareness and Buncrana Garda Mast Action Group to launch streering group

Following on from last week successful launch of Buncrana Garda Mast Action Group both 5G Inishowen Awareness and BGMAG group are meeting in The Exchange, Buncrana on Mon 13 at 7pm. Members who put their name forward at last weeks meeting are invited to attend. However, the group also invite anyone in the community who would be willing to help to contact Maria McMenamin, 5G Inishowen Awareness or Kim McMenamin and James Quigley who are spearheading BGMAG.

Hearing Massive levels of Radiation from a mobile phone mast, on a Buncrana street, close to homes, people, and children in the Gaelscoil at the youth club

Kim McMenamin demonstates EMF waves sound coming from the ESB mast West End, Buncrana

Agenda for Meeting
The agenda of the meeting will concern the formation of a steering committee going forward to highlight, inform and develop protests and other strategies around the health hazards of wireless telecommunications infrastructure locally.

The group asks the community to give input into what should be included on Mon night's agenda or future meetings e.g campaigns, financing, protest, education, community organisation and invite anyone willing to contribute their time and effort to contact them.

One particular goal according to Kim will be to appeal to teachers, parents and hopefully get them informed and the children involved. Children are particularly vulnerable to electromagnetic waves frequencies (EMF) that come from wireless technology. The group feels that the onus should be on teachers and health officials to inform themselves about the known dangers of this technology.

An interesting landmark case took place in an Italian court last November, which ordered the Italian Government to launch a campaign to advise the public of the health risks from mobile and cordless phones. The campaign has to start by July 16 and should have implications for the whole EU.

5G Awareness Inishowen
5G Awareness Inishowen is a Facebook group that was formed recently to hopefully reach as many people online in Inishowen as possible. The group was founded by Maria McMenamin, Rosina McLaughlin, Mary Mack, and Helena McCarron and so far it has gone from strength to strength. Kim's recent Youtube video has gone, what is called in the trade, viral with over 15000 viewings. It is an audible representation of the silent noisy emissions from the ESB mast at the West End, Buncrana (see above).

Buncrana Garda Mast Action Group
BGMAG was launched last week at a public meeting in Buncrana. This was in response to the Office of Public Works (OPW) granting a license to Shared Access Ltd to erect wireless antenna on the existing Garda mast in the centre of town. The plan is an “Exempted Development'“ which means it is exempt from the normal planning process. Residents, as the group is learning, have no say in this process. In fact the Irish Government has relaxed Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines (1996) to such an extent that they have given telecommunications companies carte blanche to slowly and silently make us sick. Believe it or not residents have no right to object in planning on health grounds.

Sources:
Italian Case - https://microwavenews.com/short-takes-archive/italian-decision-precaution?fbclid=IwAR3LFdnz5Kpop9gS4B0f8JgvrKrIw36Tl7J2wNs6bYNzyxOK90PO1GIsidA
5G Inishowen Awareness - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2128292017255770/?multi_permalinks=2187222134696091&notif_id=1557434441495221&notif_t=group_activity
Buncrana Garda Mast Action Group - http://buncranatogether.com/home/2019/4/29/buncrana-residents-object-to-opw-license-for-mobile-phone-antennae-on-garda-mast
Telecommunications Guidlines 1996 - https://es-ireland.com/masts-antennae/
Youtube video -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWJNN2FyGec&feature=youtu.be

Buncrana residents object to OPW license for mobile phone antennae on Garda mast

by James Quigley

A public meeting will be held this Thursday, May 2 at 7pm in The Exchange, Castle Ave, Buncrana over a license granted by the Office of Public Works, (OPW) to a mobile phone company, Shared Access, to erect antennae on the existing Garda Siochana mast.

Garda Station, Ardravan, Buncrana

Kim McMenamin, spokesman for Buncrana Garda Mast Action Group called on the community to support them in stopping this potential health hazard. Despite it being a residential area, not far from schools, Community Nursing Unit and town center, a license has been granted for the erection of mobile phone antennae on the existing mast at Buncrana Garda Station. The license has been granted by the OPW to a company called Shared Access and residents have had no say in the planning process since OPW property is somehow exempt.

Mr McMenamin said that no mobile phone masts should be near residential areas because of the adverse health and safety issues and he urges planners to adopt the precautionary principle when it comes to unproven technology and the very serious health warnings from recent independent studies worldwide. In light of these credible studies it is time that all political parties support looking into what is obvious outdated official standards.

According to an OPW official dealing with mobile technology the license was granted in November 2018 to Shared Access for 3G and 4G technology. Buncrana Garda Mast Action Group (BGMAG) are waiting for official reply from OPW over many questions they have about the plan for the mast and Buncrana generally and in relation to the much hyped 5G technology. A member of BGMAG has also submitted a Section 5 Declaration of Exemption to the Donegal Planning Authority.

According to the BGMAG, there is an obvious conflict of interest here. On one hand the Government is making millions of euros from rent to private companies and on the other hand the Government Planning Authority deals with licenses and planning.

Mr McMenamin said many of the neighbours never knew about the plans until last week and they were shocked. They are even more dismayed because they are led to believe that they have no say in the matter. In light of this it will be an uphill struggle and it will need strong community support to force the authorities to change this plan.

BGMAG also appeal to An Garda Siochana, Trade Unions and Health Officials to support them. This development will affect everybody in Buncrana especially workers in concentrated wifi environments, the vulnerable and children.

Shared Access did distribute some leaflets in March but many residents did not get them.

BGMAG is totally against EMF mobile masts anywhere in residential areas whether it is 3G or 4G. However, anyone knows that once the plan is in place, the much more powerful 5G will be next.


If this plan goes ahead Buncrana will have two gigantic mobile masts at each side of the town. There is are existing mobile antennae at the West End area on the ESB mast. These two powerful antennae structures will be beaming radio frequency microwave radiation throughout Buncrana with concentrations in the center.


ESB Mast West End, Buncrana