The DAA says the tunnel is needed to improve access and safety on the airfield and to facilitate segregation of aircraft and ground vehicles.

The idea, which some believed would boost connectivity and tourism, even reached the desk of Northern Ireland’s prime minister at the time

The twin cell enclosed subterranean tunnel will be 700 metres long with the overall alignment being 1.1 km in length from ‘ramp to ramp’.

Kelly, who owns three of the 20 houses in Weirview Terrace, Lucan, had been sued by six of his neighbours

At Dunkettle, one lane is currently blocked at the exit of the Jack Lynch Tunnel approaching the Dunkettle Interchange, as the result of a road traffic accident involving a car and a truck.

On the airline’s "grounds of objection", Mr Ryan argues that the business case for the spending of over €200 million on this project has not been made