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Apple’s Irish data center saga may finally be over as local residents’ appeal rejected

After more than two years and numerous false-starts, it appears that Apple has now cleared the final hurdle standing in the way of building a $1B data center in Ireland. A bid by two local residents to pursue a High Court appeal has been refused.

Objections by a small number of local residents delayed things from the start, with the local planning body responding by asking Apple to respond to five concerns

Apple did this, leading to a favorable recommendation by the planning inspector. The company was subsequently granted the ‘final’ go-ahead last summer, which was put on hold by a High Court appeal. The hearing was delayed not once but twice, before the High Court gave the go-ahead.

While the High Court decision was expected to be the final word, two residents sought permission to appeal the rulingReuters reports that permission has been denied.

Ireland’s High Court on Wednesday rejected an appeal against Apple’s plans to build an 850 million euro ($1 billion)data center in Ireland, clearing the way for the project to proceed.

A judge said there were no grounds to appeal after some residents objected on environmental grounds.

That should be it, and Apple ought to be able to finally break ground on the project, but given the history of this one, we’ll believe it when the first shovel hits the ground …


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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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