Tech giant Apple has expressed concern to senior Irish enterprise officials about the potential implications for its planned Athenry Data Centre after locals launched a High Court action against it.

Apple is looking to build the facility on a 500-acre site in Derrydonnell. It was hoped that the plant would be operational by 2017 and create some 150 jobs. Galway County Council granted approval, subject to certain conditions including hours during which construction work can take place.  This was appealed on a number of grounds including flooding fears and the impact on environmental and climate change.

The Irish Times this morning reports that three people have been given the go-ahead to seek a judicial review of a decision made by An Bord Pleanála to allow the 850 million euro project go ahead. Locals Allan Daly and Sinéad Fitzpatrick originally objected to the project during the planning stages and have now been granted an ex-parte judicial review application.

In submissions, residents suggested that the project should be moved to an alternative site in Wicklow.