Madam, - As a landowner with a marked hill-walking route through my property it saddens me to state that I would now prefer if the marked way were removed.
Ten years ago I enhanced the route by planting broadleaf trees and I gladly gave written permission for the way to be marked. Nobody has since bothered to ask me if I have been experiencing any difficulties.
Over the years, it has not been uncommon for me to find abandoned cars, usually smashed up with debris scattered around. Farm gates have been left open, rammed and stolen. In a secluded area the public's recreational pursuits mean that my family and I continually have to remove discarded condoms and tissues - not the most pleasant of jobs around the farm. I have also to sort out and remove illegally dumped household, garden and building rubbish, usually from a small stream, and then deliver and pay the county council refuse charge.
The onus and cost is on me, the landowner, to repair and tidy my property. My patience is running out. If you open your land to the public, some people abuse the privilege. I fail to understand why the Government and walking organisations do not recognise that we need compensation for such hardship on our land.
Even the IFA proposal of €1,000 a year topped up by €5 a metre for walks will not solve all these problems. - Yours, etc,
JOHN JACKSON, Teevickmoy, Stranorlar, Co Donegal.