High Court allows €1.2 billion data centre in Ennis

The High Court has decided that a mistake about a bat report will not stop a €1.2 billion data centre project near Ennis, Ireland. The court ruled that the error related to a single Leisler’s Bat found in a barn does not affect the planning permission. Mr Justice Richard Humphreys dismissed concerns raised by objectors. He stated that the error in the report was "harmless" and did not change the outcome of the planning decision. The judge humorously noted the bat's presence as if it were a plot in a crime series. The planning permission for the data centre was granted in April 2024. The project will consist of six data halls over an area of 145 acres. It is located close to Junction 13 on the M18 motorway, connecting Galway and Limerick. Opponents, including local environmental groups, had challenged the decision in court. In October, An Bord Pleanála admitted they had made an error by not fully considering the environmental impact on bats. However, when the High Court reviewed the case, the judge found in favor of the data centre developers, Art Data Centres Ltd. Mr Justice Humphreys emphasized that while the fate of a single bat might seem minor, protecting species and complying with EU law are serious matters. He praised the developer for considering the bat in their plans. The CEO of Art Data Centres Ltd, Tom McNamara, welcomed the judgment and expressed confidence in the project's benefits. The data centre is expected to create between 400 to 450 permanent jobs and around 1,200 construction jobs when complete. The court will meet again on March 31 to address any further issues related to the case.