Sir, – Apart from the court case involving the Wicklow Way, which is now under appeal, in his opinion piece ( Opinion, May 2nd) G O Dwyer cites the closure of much of Skellig Michael, which he feels could become a precedent.
Surely, this is a very special case as most visitors to it are not experienced walkers. He is certainly correct in fearing further denials of access to our countryside as we are already receiving reports of further areas being closed off on foot of the court case.
We appeal to individual landowners and to the farm organisations to exercise restraint. It is quite clear the only way this matter can be resolved is by adopting the National Indemnity Scheme in which the the State rather than an individual landowner would be sued.
– Yours, etc,
ROGER GARLAND
Chairman, Keep Ireland
Open,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – My wife recently attended an organised weekend in a beautiful recreational centre in the south of Ireland. The weekend included a trek in the surrounding spectacular countryside, led by a local guide. He informed the walkers that he could not take them on the route he normally uses as a farmer had blocked access across his land. He said the farmer had done so following the recent court case in Wicklow where a woman tripped, claimed against the National Parks and Wildlife Service and was awarded damages of €40,000. He said that other local farmers are of like mind and will not allow access on their land for fear of litigation.
Is it too much to expect our incoming government to introduce even the most basic legislation on access, to allay the fears of farmers and to protect the valid rights of walkers?
– Yours, etc,
FERGAL McLOUGHLIN
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.