The black-swan theory is used to describe a surprise high-impact event which was unforeseen or difficult to predict but later rationalised in hindsight as an inevitable affair. The theory applies nicely to legal proceedings on a planned wind farm now referred to the European court system on a point of law. The court’s decision could have a chilling effect on development close to a wide range of protected nature sites across Ireland. And, ironically enough, it all started with a swan.  In 2022, Knocknamona Windfarm Limited received planning permission from An Bord Pleanála to amend permission for a wind farm…