€250,000 NEPP mega-draw in Trim

The monster draw in support of North-East Pylon Protest"s campaign to underground electricity cables in the region will take place at 8.30pm tonight (Wednesday) in Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim. The draw had originally been scheduled for early February but was postponed. Tickets are €100 and the first prize is €250,000, second prize is €10,000, third prize is €5,000, with seven further prizes of €2,000 each. Meanwhile, NEPP has issued a statement welcoming a weekend decision by delegates at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis to unanimously back community campaigns North and South of the border that favours putting 400kV electricity cables underground. In his leader"s speech to delegates at the RDS in Dublin, party president Gerry Adams welcomed representatives of NEPP as observers. Speaking in support of a motion calling on both governments to adopt a policy of undergrounding of the proposed North-South interconnector as well as all future high voltage electricity transmission networks on the island, Cavan-Monaghan TD, Caoimhghín ' Caoláin, said: 'Sinn Féin commends the communities campaigning against pylons across the five counties. They have shown collective skill and determination. They have spearheaded an informed public debate on the major issues involved and have taken imaginative decisions, such as commissioning a study by renowned international experts that supports undergrounding.' Deputy ' Caolain continued: 'I call on Eamon Ryan and the Green Party to live up to their commitment to communities facing environmental disaster. I use that term 'disaster" in a measured tone. Pylons will be a disaster for these communities. The greatest responsibility lies on Fianna Fáil and the Green Party if these pylons were to go through. As a party organised throughout the island, we can help deliver the key to overall success of this most important campaign.' Conor Murphy, Minister for Rural Development in the Northern Executive, supporting the anti-pylon groups, said infrastructural development is welcome but certain types of development can have adverse effects on the environment. The ard fheis unanimously adopted a motion from Monaghan Comhairle Cheantair supporting underground cabling as a viable alternative to pylons.