The Sperrins: Mining, Power & Community in Northern Ireland

In Part 2 of Wednesday's Public Inquiry, the focus shifts from planning policy to public health. Retired GP Dr Alan Evans and consultant surgeon Dr Michael Mullan gave evidence on radon, arsenic, lead and tellurium, raising questions about the potential health implications of mining and why these issues matter to communities living in the Sperrins. This episode also explores why local concerns sho...

Public Inquiry – Final Day Before Summer Recess Today's hearing focused on some of the most important public health issues considered at the Inquiry so far. In this episode I look at the evidence presented on air pollution, radiation, electromagnetic fields and the potential health implications of the proposed mine. I also explain some of the technical terms that seem to have become part of the In...

When the public inquiry  starts to obscure the bigger picture, sometimes it's worth stopping to remember what we're actually trying to protect. This week's podcast steps back from the technical evidence of the Public Inquiry to reflect on why so many people have devoted years of their lives to this process. Alongside that, I examine another week inside the Inquiry, where procedural decisions, witn...

Today's Public Inquiry was about blasting, but it began with something entirely different. Warnings about the podcast itself, questions about freedom of expression, and another confirmation that Cormac remains excluded from the Inquiry. As the evidence unfolded, new information continued to emerge orally rather than through the Environmental Statement, raising further concerns for Third Parties tr...

This episode takes a step away from the Public Inquiry and into the heart of the Sperrins for the 21st annual Gathering at Silverbrook Mill, Donemana. Set in one of Ireland's most unique historic mill complexes, The Gathering brings together people, communities and campaigns from across Northern Ireland and beyond. It is a day of conversation, learning, music, connection and shared experience. In...

This week at the Public Inquiry, noise may have been the official topic, but questions of fairness, participation and whose voices are heard often dominated proceedings. In this episode I discuss: • A further 33 days being added to the Inquiry timetable. • The internet outage that left third parties unable to access key documents while others remained connected. • Whether a process can be fair whe...

Today the Public Inquiry returned to noise, rebuttals, conditions, and a guest  appearance from  a member of the  "Silent Majority." In this episode: Third parties challenge inaccuracies in the applicant's evidence Noise evidence and rebuttals continue A masterclass in staying on message regardless of the question Why every impact seems to be described as "negligible" The case for the readmission...

This week at the Public Inquiry, the discussion appeared to be about roads, heritage and planning policy. But beneath the technical evidence, a much bigger question emerged. What happens when a system designed to assess categories is asked to understand memory, faith, community and belonging? In this episode, I reflect on why many people feel the outcome is already predetermined, why communities o...

Day 29 of the Dalradian Public Inquiry brought archaeology, peatlands and heritage into sharp focus, along with some uncomfortable questions about conditions, timetables and public participation. We hear contrasting evidence from Dr Jill Plunkett and HED, discuss the implications of archaeological mitigation, and reflect on the growing frustration among third parties as key topics are quietly set...

Today the Public Inquiry heard evidence on historic roads, religious heritage, intangible cultural heritage and the deep connections between people, language and landscape. What emerged was a profound question: can everything that matters be measured? In a day that featured testimony from Father Joe McVeigh , Sinéad Ní Mhearnóg, Dr. Peadar Mac Gabhann, Liam Monaghan, Dr. Vicenza Cirifice and other...

Today I take a closer look at one of the most fascinating aspects of the Public Inquiry – not the evidence itself, but how that evidence is presented. When does advocacy become narrative building? How are facts framed, emphasised, minimised or reinterpreted? And what should third parties be listening out for as the Inquiry continues? In this episode: How barristers shape narratives without necessa...

The Mass Rock, Memory and Corporate Colonialism What is it that makes a place sacred? In this episode I reflect on childhood memories of an ancient ráth in County Kildare and the deep sense of mystery, belonging and connection it inspired. Those memories lead me to the Crockanboy Mass Rock in the Sperrins and a wider question about heritage, community and who gets to decide what places matter. In...

This week I reflect on the growing questions around trust, public accountability and whether public infrastructure is being altered to serve the public interest or private commercial interests. In this episode: • The proposed abandonment of a public road • Public interest versus commercial interest • Road safety and risk • The role of DfI Roads • Communities becoming "receptors" • Confidence in pu...

The afternoon session moved into the world of planning conditions, trigger points and whether the safeguards attached to major developments are actually capable of protecting communities and public infrastructure. In this episode: • What planning conditions are and why they matter • The six tests that planning conditions are supposed to satisfy • Debate over trigger points and when development sho...

Today’s inquiry heard explosive concerns over the proposed abandonment of the old road and its replacement with what many believe is effectively a mining haul road in disguise — a Via Pretensa. From traffic chaos and explosives transport, to access to the historic Mass Rock, human rights, road safety, and accusations that local communities are being turned into a “sacrifice zone”, emotions boiled...

Today at the PAC Inquiry the focus returned once again to the controversial road abandonment and replacement road proposals linked to the Dalradian gold mine application. Questions around process, fairness, engineering standards and public participation continued to grow as third parties challenged both the procedure and the proposed road design itself. In this episode: DfI Roads arrives in force...

Public Inquiry Review of the Week Growing concerns over procedural fairness and democratic accountability Retired engineer Douglas Hill challenges the Roads Abandonment process Local communities defend vital rural infrastructure and public safety DfI neutrality questioned as confidence in the process continues to erode Timetable chaos, cancelled hearings and mounting pressure on campaigners Reflec...

In this episode, I unpack the latest developments at the Dalradian public inquiry, including delays, adjournments, and the withdrawal of the judicial review surrounding the landscape hearings. I also reflect on a powerful discussion with Indigenous climate activist Ariel Deranger and the striking parallels between Indigenous environmental struggles and what communities here in the Sperrins are exp...

• Extraordinary scenes from the Roads Inquiry into the proposed abandonment of the U1244 road • Retired senior roads engineer Doug Hill challenges the integrity and compliance of the process • Concerns raised around road safety, visibility, drainage, heavy traffic and emergency access • Questions over democratic accountability, procedural fairness and public confidence • Discussion around the eros...

Senior roads engineers challenge the handling of the Dalradian road proposals Questions raised over safety, baseline surveys and the use of Section 76 Communities reduced to “receptors” in the language of the Inquiry Witnesses speak openly about feeling dismissed and disrespected Fresh criticism of DfI Roads and the constantly shifting process Concerns over haul roads, school safety, traffic volum...

Roads, Questions & Wearing People Down • Another long day inside the Dalradian Public Inquiry • Roads, traffic surveys and Article 11 discussions dominate proceedings • Concerns raised over outdated baseline traffic data from 2015 • Third parties forced to answer before hearing applicant responses • Growing frustration around fairness, process and “equality of arms” • Douglas Hill challenges D...

🎙️ Review of the Week — Public Inquiry Podcast This week at the Public Inquiry: • closure bond and long term liability discussions • farming, tourism and environmental concerns • testimony from communities impacted by mining around the world • growing frustration around planning policy and departmental neutrality • ongoing timetable chaos and procedural fairness concerns • the emotional toll this...

PODCAST DESCRIPTION • Chaos and confusion at the Dalradian Gold Mine Public Inquiry • Emergency timetable changes leave legal teams and expert witnesses scrambling • Serious questions raised about the handling of the inquiry by the PAC • Debate erupts over whether Dalradian’s “Dry Stack Facility” is actually a mine waste tailings facility • Department counsel Mr Elvin rejects WM01 waste policy des...

Inside today’s Public Inquiry hearing: From missing feasibility studies to disputes over “material considerations,” today’s session exposed deep tensions around the proposed Dalradian goldmine in the Sperrins. Expert witnesses face ongoing timetable chaos, tourism voices warn of irreversible damage, and campaigners question whether planning conditions can ever truly protect communities. In this ep...

#57 | Public Inquiry – Day 1 | Week Beginning 12 May 2026 • Public Inquiry timetable chaos and growing frustration among third parties • Commonwealth Mining Feasibility Study Guidelines introduced into proceedings • Questions over transparency, evidence standards and public confidence • Section 76 agreements, financial bonds and perpetual mine waste liability • Debate around the “Dry Stack Facilit...