Vol. 472 No. 4
97 Mr. R. Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the vandalism which is currently occurring on the Drumonnach promontory fort archaeological site, which includes stones missing from the tower, a well which has been dug and fencing being erected on the site; and the proposals, if any, he has to preserve this vital site. [23413/96]
Drumanagh promontory fort, which is the subject of a preservation order under the National Monuments Acts, 1930 to 1994, is situated on privately owned lands. During the course of regular inspections earlier this year, it was revealed that works were being carried out without consultation with the National Monuments and Historic Properties Service of my Department. These works on the periphery of the site consisted of minor digging in search of a well and the erection of fencing to secure the lands. The occupier of the lands was warned both orally and in writing to desist from any works which would infringe the terms of the preservation order. Recent inspections indicate that this warning has been complied with and that there is no evidence of removal of stone from the 19th century martello tower.
