#62 🎙️ |Public Inquiry Week Beginning 19th May 2026| Day 2

#77🎙️ |Public Inquiry week in review 18th June 2026|

This week at the Public Inquiry, noise may have been the official topic, but questions of fairness, participation and whose voices are heard often dominated proceedings. In this episode I discuss: • A further 33 days being added to the Inquiry timetable. • The internet outage that left third parties unable to access key documents while others remained connected. • Whether a process can be fair when participants are operating on unequal terms. • The continuing debate around noise impacts and mining assessments. • The value of lived experience versus so-called professional expertise. • How ordinary members of the public continue to identify weaknesses in complex technical evidence. • Mary Brolly's application seeking the readmission of campaigner Cormac McAleer. • The Commissioners' decision to reserve their ruling until the Inquiry resumes. If you have found value in this podcast,  please subscribe, share , write a review  and help others stay informed about what is happening inside the Public Inquiry room. SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins [https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins] https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ [https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/]

#76🎙️ |Public Inquiry Week Beginning 16th June 2026 Day 2 |

Today the Public Inquiry returned to noise, rebuttals, conditions, and a guest  appearance from  a member of the  "Silent Majority." In this episode: * Third parties challenge inaccuracies in the applicant's evidence * Noise evidence and rebuttals continue * A masterclass in staying on message regardless of the question * Why every impact seems to be described as "negligible" * The case for the readmission of long-time campaigner Cormac McAleer * The Commissioners' decision  If the evidence is to be believed, this may be the first mine in history that generates traffic, blasting, waste rock, industrial processing and power infrastructure while affecting virtually nothing at all. 🎙️ If you're finding these daily updates useful, please follow the podcast on Spotify and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Every share helps more people follow what is happening at the Public Inquiry. Thank you .  Link to podcast 71 - https://buttonsoptions4u.podbean.com/e/71%f0%9f%8e%99%ef%b8%8f-public-inquiry-week-beginning-2nd-june-2026-day-1/ [https://buttonsoptions4u.podbean.com/e/71%F0%9F%8E%99%EF%B8%8F-public-inquiry-week-beginning-2nd-june-2026-day-1/]   SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins [https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins] https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/

#74🎙️ |Public Inquiry Review of the week 2nd June 2026 |

This week at the Public Inquiry, the discussion appeared to be about roads, heritage and planning policy. But beneath the technical evidence, a much bigger question emerged. What happens when a system designed to assess categories is asked to understand memory, faith, community and belonging? In this episode, I reflect on why many people feel the outcome is already predetermined, why communities often prevail not by convincing those in power but by convincing each other, and why the real legacy of the Inquiry may be the strengthening of the community itself. Key topics: • The growing perception that the outcome has already been decided • The evidence presented on the importance of the Mass Rock and cultural heritage • Why community, memory and belonging cannot easily be reduced to planning categories • The difference between authority and legitimacy • How communities can respond to hopelessness and negativity • Why staying connected may be the most powerful act of all Call to Action: If you find value in these conversations, please follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, leave a review and share this episode with others. Every follow, review and share helps ensure that these stories, and the voices behind them, reach a wider audience.

#73🎙️ |Public Inquiry Week Beginning 2nd June 2026 Day 3 |

Day 29 of the Dalradian Public Inquiry brought archaeology, peatlands and heritage into sharp focus, along with some uncomfortable questions about conditions, timetables and public participation. We hear contrasting evidence from Dr Jill Plunkett and HED, discuss the implications of archaeological mitigation, and reflect on the growing frustration among third parties as key topics are quietly set aside and timetable pressures continue to mount. Plus, a heartfelt thank you to the Earth Mamas, whose songs reminded us all why this fight matters.

#72🎙️ |Public Inquiry Week Beginning 2 June 2026 Day 2 |

Today the Public Inquiry heard evidence on historic roads, religious heritage, intangible cultural heritage and the deep connections between people, language and landscape. What emerged was a profound question: can everything that matters be measured? In a day that featured testimony from Father Joe McVeigh , Sinéad Ní Mhearnóg, Dr. Peadar Mac Gabhann, Liam Monaghan, Dr. Vicenza Cirifice and others, the discussion moved into the realms of memory, belonging, identity and community. In this episode: * Historic roads and access in the Sperrins * The cultural and spiritual significance of mass rocks * Father Pat McVey on community cohesion and division * Irish language, landscape and identity * The last Irish-speaking district in Northern Ireland * Intangible cultural heritage and what may be lost * Community consultation versus desktop studies * Can heritage only exist if it can be measured? * Reflections inspired by a four-year-old's drawing 🎧 Listen, share and subscribe. If these conversations matter, please help us reach more people by following the podcast, leaving a review and sharing this episode with others interested in heritage, democracy, culture and the future of the Sperrins.   The drawings mentioned in the podcast can be viewed on our Facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins [https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins] SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins [https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins] https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/