GARDAÍ ARE investigating vandalism at the ancestral home of Countess Constance Markievicz, Lissadell House Estate, which is at the centre of a court right-of-way battle between its owners and Sligo County Council.
A 14ft wide farm gate was torn from its hinges at a rear entrance to the estate and thrown into a nearby river.
Estate manager Isobel Cassidy said yesterday the damage, estimated at €1,500, was the latest in a series of increased incidences of vandalism and trespass which had become quite worrying. A tractor or “some kind of big machine” was used to tear away the gate early last Wednesday. An angle-grinder was also used.
An angle-grinder and chainsaw were used in a previous attack by vandals on the estate more than four years ago when a number of entrance gates and other barriers were damaged and removed and slogans were sprayed, claiming there has been public access to the 400-acre property for more than 100 years.
“Unfortunately, since the council passed a resolution 12 months ago, trespass and vandalism has definitely increased” Ms Cassidy said. “It is most unpleasant and somewhat intimidating. It’s thoroughly unpleasant when people come in middle of the night and tear your gate down.”
Sligo County Council voted a year ago to amend the county development plan to provide for the preservation of a public right of way which estate owners, lawyers Eddie Walsh and his wife Constance Cassidy, say does not exist.
A High Court hearing is set for January 19th.
The Walsh-Cassidys, who have seven children, say they were assured there was no public right of way when they bought estate from the Gore-Booth family for €4.55 million in 2003.