BREAKING: Shock erection leaves locals in Tipperary baffled and furious

Tipperary County Councillor Máirín McGrath has shared her discontent with the erection of a large mast within close proximity of houses in a Cahir housing estate.

Cllr McGrath said she was notified of the erection of the mast on Thursday. 

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She said she has contacted the relevant bodies within the Tipperary County Council to assess the site where the mast has been put up, stating that the site should be checked out as soon as possible.

In a statement, she said: "I was made aware of the erection of a large mast on Irish Rail lands behind the Birchdale Housing estate in Cahir town. Residents in the estate were shocked to see the tower being erected so close to their homes without any knowledge of a planning application or advance notice of its erection.

"I have engaged with planning officials in Tipperary County Council and asked them to visit the site and determine the planning status around this development as a matter of urgency.

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"I am aware that there is an exemption under Planning Law for the erection of telecommunications poles up to a certain height and while we can accept the need for some infrastructural advances, it is not fair that the planning process can be totally circumvented here, much to the shock and dismay of local residents when they looked out their window this morning.

"There must be a duty of care and also respect for residential amenity and visual impact, and if such masts are to be erected, they should be done in a manner that is not so close to residential properties, where it has such an overbearing impact on homes and gardens."