AN HISTORIC Tyrone church located just a mile from the area earmarked for the controversial goldmine in the Sperrins is to be monitored to ensure that the stonework in the 200 year-old building is not damaged by explosives blasting.
St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Rouskey was constructed in 1834. But now there are concerns about the impact that blasting and vibrations from the construction and operation of the Dalradian Gold Ltd development a short distance away will have on chapel.
Local people fear that the chapel is vulnerable to damage.
They are warning that the stained-glass windows, stonework, a decorative ceiling and the walls of the building are under threat if blasting takes place as a result of the mineworks.
Prominent
Fidelma O’Kane from Save Our Sperrins described the church as a ‘prominent stone building.’
She is worried that the energy generated by underground explosions could cause the walls to crack and severely damage some of the historic features of the church.
Mary Brolly, solicitor for Save Our Sperrins, said the church was a ‘vulnerable receptor’ and the masonary within it was ‘old and vulnerable.’
“The proximity of the mine to this church ought to be very important and taken into consideration.’
The public inquiry into the goldmine was also told that a decade ago Fr John Forbes had previously raised concerns about the likelihood of tunnelling underneath the adjoining graveyard of the church.
Third-party objector, Martin Tracey, described the church as a focal point for the local community.
He said that restrictions needed to be put in place to protect in the building, in the same way as has been done for historic properties in Belfast.
Consideration
He added that, in addition to the mining, consideration had to also be given to the impact of heavy goods vehicles and machinery operating within a short distance from the church.
An official from the Historic Environment Division of the Department for Infrastructure told the Inquiry said there were a lot of stone buildings, including St Mary’s Church, within a relatively short distance from the goldmine site.
She said that the vibrations and potential impacts of the blasting as a result of mineworks were lower than the recommended levels.
However, she added that daily monitoring of the chapel would be undertaken to ensure that there is no damage to the church, and that the HED would be anxious to be kept informed of the results from future readings at the site.