Apple's heavily delayed €850 million Irish data centre might actually get built now (AAPL)

pulse

November 1, 2017 2:51 PM

A judge told two residents that they he was not satisfied there was an appropriate point of law for the objectors to continue to seek to block the data centre.

The route for Apple's €850 million (£743 million; $989 million) data centre in Ireland appears to be clear at last after a High Court judge said objectors couldn't appeal his decision, according to The Irish Times.

Justice Paul McDermott ruled on October 12 that Apple should be granted permission to build the data centre near the small town of Athenry, on Ireland's west coast.

But two local residents Allan Daly and Sinead Fitzpatrick requested a certificate to appeal the court ruling. Justice McDermott refused to issue them one with one, saying he was not satisfied there was an appropriate point of law for the objectors to continue to seek to block the data centre.

The data centre was first announced over two years ago. Apple wants to use it to store European user data and to help power online services, including the iTunes Store, the App Store, iMessage, Maps, and Siri for customers across Europe.

Apple has its European headquarters in Ireland and employs thousands of people in Cork, roughly two hours drive from Athenry.

The company's relationship with the country is at an interesting point, with the European Commission ordering the Irish government to claim back €13 billion (£11.7 billion) in back taxes.

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