The assertions by O2 and Meteor have been branded “hugely insensitive” in light of the appalling sea tragedies that have rocked the fishing village - including the sinking of the ‘Pere Charles’ fishing trawler only last January.

There’s huge ill-feeling over the antennae on the roof of the Dock Road Londis store which residents claim were “sneakily” put up in conjunction with the shop owner - and only came to their notice when their televisions picked up interference.

Now, up to 70 householders, who’ve signed a petition opposing the antennae and associated equipment, have vowed to fight all the way to have them removed.

They’ve turned to a Co. Offaly-based solicitor to help them in their efforts to have the antennae, installed by O2, Meteor and Hutchinson 3G, taken down because they’re all currently “unlawful” as a result of a recent An Bord Plean·la ruling.

Furthermore, the locals are also plotting their method of battle mindful of some additional equipment that they believe is being planned for the same site.

“There’s a huge amount of concern in the area; not only are people worried about the possible health effects arising from these antennae and equipment but they’re very annoyed over how this whole situation has developed,” solicitor John Reedy told the Waterford News & Star this week.

“There’s been an element of subterfuge on the part of these mobile phone companies because residents didn’t know even these items were present until some problems arose regarding interference with electrical items in their homes.”

“To add insult to injury, both O2 and Meteor have claimed that their developments could be of assistance in the future to sea rescue in Dunmore! This is a small community that’s been rocked by tragedies at sea and this claim has rubbed salt in the wounds of many people.”

“Down by the harbour there’s a monument erected in dedication to people who lost their lives at sea - their ages range from eight years of age to 70 - and that this claim could be made, when naval experts say that the ship-to-shore system used for sea rescue is completely separate from the antennae, has made matters worse.”

The owner of the Londis store in Dunmore East, John Fitzgerald, was unavailable for comment yesterday (Tuesday).

However, locals say that the six antennae from Meteor, 02 and Hutchinson, are in situ at his premises since before June.

No planning permission was sought by the mobile phone companies and it was only when locals kicked up a stink with Waterford County Council that the companies claimed their developments were exempt from planning.

The Co. Council agreed in the case of Hutchinson 3G but issued enforcement orders against the Meteor and 02 structures on the basis they were unauthorised.

The next thing residents heard was that the matter had been referred to An Bord Plean·la who recently ruled that all the equipment - including that installed by Hutchison 3G - were, in fact, not exempted development.

As it stands, Meteor and 02 have lodged planning applications with Water-ford Co. Council seeking retention permission for their antennae.

Locals, however, who have already signed their names to a petition calling for the antennae to be removed, are now planning to object en masse.

A local property owner, who spoke to the Water-ford News & Star this week, says the situation has horrified residents.

“At a meeting in Ballygunner last year about a mobile phone mast, an expert said people and animals can have varying sensitivities to signals from this equipment.

Some people suffer no apparent effects but others can have prolonged disorders such as headaches, sleeplessness and nervous disorders.”

“Because of all these concerns, a Joint Oireachtas committee recommended that there should be no more antennae provided beside buildings like schools and hospitals until they’ve fully examined the situation. In light of this, there’s quite naturally now huge - and growing - concern in Dunmore East.”

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