Apple has requested that the Irish High Court hurry up in hearing a legal challenge by three objectors to its €850m data centre investment in Athenry, Galway.

The Cupertino-based business, whose intellectual property is held in one of its Irish companies, is hoping to avoid the delays of a judicial review, according to The Irish Times.

Although the fruity folk were granted permission in August to build a 220kVA data centre in the Galway town of famine folk song fame, opposition came forth at the behest of local bats and badgers supporters, among others, and more folk have again stated their objections.

The objectors, named by the Irish Times as local residents Sinéad Fitzpatrick and Allan Daly, and Wicklow landowner Brian McDonagh, have asked the High Court for a judicial review on environmental grounds.

With a judicial review meaning a potential delay of up to 18 months, Apple and its various supporters in the States have sought to get the matter expedited for "fear the investment could be lost".

Apple has today filed a motion so that the three objectors' legal challenge can be placed on the fast-track commercial list, which should be heard by the High Court on 7 November. ®