Plenty of people put themselves and or their families first in the face of a greater good. Of course it's selfish, it still doesn't mean it's wrong beyond a basic human instict to protect what you have. Not everyone can be bought off with money, sometimes what they have built up and made for themselves is more important than just money. If this wasn't true and justifiable, we wouldn't have the Croke Park Agreement.
So like Oldnick is saying, this isn't black and white, this isn't good/bad ESB vs irrational/heroic woman. Do I want a better, efficient and maybe cheaper electrical service? Of course. Would I want my land dug up and overhead lines put in? No.
It wouldn't be because of any fears or love of trees, I just wouldn't want them on my land and I don't think the compensation package would change that.
It's easy to accuse people of NIMBYism when you're not affected. I'm not affected either, but I can sympathise with her as I can understand the reason for the power lines and Eirgrid's initial refusal to change its compensation package. But they both played poker thinking the other would back down and unfortunately she lost, but shame on Eirgrid for letting it go that far.
Anyway. I worked and saved hard so we could get the house we wanted. I work hard(ish) so we can keep it and enjoy it as a family, that's my priority. If someone came along and said it was compulsory that a pylon, or anything else that would spoil what I have in the name of progress, went in my back garden, absolutely I'd fight it tooth and nail. I'm sorry, it isn't rational in the sense of the greater good, but then as humans we aren't rational when it comes to something as fundamental as a home we create for ourselves.
But it's good to judge people, so keep up the love of the fellow man and all his foibles. You're right, there should be no limit to the machine of progress or compromise on something as irrational as sentimentality.