The company seeking a mining licence in Redhills in Cavan has withdrawn its application.
It was late 2019 that residents in the Redhills and Ballyhaise areas were made aware of a notice that Great Glen Resources had applied for a prospecting licence on the area that covers 41 townlands.
There were major objections locally and the Redhills Action Against Mining Group has now been informed by the Department that there is no longer an active application, meaning the company has withdrawn.
Local TD for the region Niamh Smyth says she welcomes the decision by the company, and having tabled multiple Parliamentary Questions on the matter over the last number of months knows that it will come as a relief to residents in the townlands concerned.
Kevin McCarron is the chairman of the group, and he says that while it is good news, they are disappointed that it took so long to get an answer.
He also says there is still a concern that there could be exploration in the future when the area returns to the auction process:
