Tipperary couple determined to block phone mast repair

Friday, March 24, 2006

Tipperary couple determined to block phone mast repair

Peter Gleeson

THE IRISH TIMES, MARCH 24, 2006

A Co Tipperary farmer and his wife who claimed they suffered ill-health due

to radio frequency radiation from a mobile phone mast on their lands say

they are prepared to go to jail rather than allow Vodafone on to their

property to repair the broken mast.

 

 

John Ryan, from Golden, claims symptoms he and his wife, Rosie, suffered due

to the operation of the mast have ceased since the mast stopped working in

November last year.

Insp Paschal Feeney, of Tipperary town Garda station, confirmed they are

investigating an incident of criminal damage to a mast in the Golden area.

He would not confirm a claim by the Ryans that a statement was taken from Ms

Ryan on Monday and that gardaí seized a gun from their house.

The Ryans say they are puzzled as to why the gun was seized.

"We have said we will take whatever steps are necessary, even going to jail

to stop Vodafone coming on the land, but using a gun was the last thing on

my mind," Ms Ryan said. "We have no intention of harming anyone."

Mr Ryan said he had forgotten he even had a gun. "We never mentioned

anything about a gun to anyone."

Vodafone, the company which operates the mast, said it was disappointed to

learn that extensive damage was discovered to its base station in Golden.

The company said the cause of the damage is being investigated.