By Mark Costello

GOFFS, Tattersalls Ireland and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association are raising awareness among clients and members in Co Meath of a bid by a wind turbine company to sponsor Meath GAA.

The two sales companies are joint signatories of a letter which asks their Meath clients to “make a stand” against the development if they share their concerns over Element Power’s plans to erect a network of wind turbines across the country.

The Meath GAA county board is due to vote on the matter next Monday and the sales companies went to the trouble of supplying their Meath clients with names and numbers of club secretaries they could call to voice their concerns.

Nick Nugent of Goffs explained: “An industry group, which included breeders, trainers, owners and jockeys, made a joint submission to the Government earlier in the year on their fears over turbines and pylons. The sales companies were pleased to support that initiative.

“When it became clear that Element Power were in talks with Meath GAA over a possible sponsorship deal, it was logical for us to write to our clients about this. If they feel the same way as we do about wind turbines, and their detrimental effect on the Irish landscape, then those people may choose to have their voices heard.”

The sponsorship deal offered by Element Power is said to be worth €375,000 over five years to Meath GAA. The sales companies’ letter states: “Although it is understandable why a county board might jump at such a financial windfall, the developer is clearly using the sponsorship to achieve wider acceptance of the industrialised wind energy development without the unanimous support of the specifically-impacted community.”

Shane O’Dwyer of the ITBA added: “We endorse our members’ concerns that where turbines are installed there is the threat of disruption, the certainty of ongoing disturbance and annoyance to people and horses, the likelihood of lower property values and the long term transformation of our rural landscape.”