Sir, – Keep Ireland Open is disappointed with the judgment in the case taken by a hillwalker against the National Parks and Wildlife Service ("Hillwalker's ¤40,000 award criticised as 'simplistic' ", April 14th). It has serious implications for the future of boardwalks, which are absolutely essential in Co Wicklow, which has to cope with a large and increasing number of walkers. We urge the National Parks and Wildlife Service to appeal this decision to the High Court.
Certainly the section of the boardwalk in question is not in pristine condition – a factor which, we feel, should have been self-evident and did not constitute a hidden danger.
We are also concerned that this decision will give landowners an excuse to further restrict access.
Meanwhile, as a matter of urgency, the National Parks and Wildlife Service should carryout the necessary repairs to the entire system of boardwalks and also erect suitable signage disclaiming responsibility. – Yours, etc,
ROGER GARLAND,
Keep Ireland Open,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – Boardwalks are there to protect the wild, not to tame it. They are less of an eyesore, and less damaging to the environment, than the wide tracks worn in the hillside by walkers. Signs point walkers to them, but their use is not mandatory. It is easy to step off to avoid a damaged section.
Using them is safer than walking a city street at night, or crossing a bog-covered open hill in the mist. They take some of the risk out of hillwalking, but it is entirely unreasonable to expect that a walkway in the mountains would not occasionally pose a hazard.– Yours, etc,
COLIN WALSH,
Templeogue, Dublin 6W.
Sir, – Wicklow National Park is a great resource used by thousands of people from Ireland and overseas all year and in all weather conditions. The National Parks and Wildlife Service provides great facilities in sometimes very difficult conditions. Parts of trails laid down by the service can be washed away or displaced in hours. Every experienced hillwalker knows there are many risks that only the walker can control. Risk is part of the sport. They know that any path or trail is a potential hazard that requires constant personal vigilance. Even the best-maintained areas contain risk. It is totally unrealistic to expect a State agency to provide permanent safe pathways of the type found in a city park. – Yours, etc,
GERARD McDERMOTT,
Gorey,
Co Wexford.
Sir, – I am going walking in the Himalayas. Can you please advise me who I can sue if I fall? – Yours, etc,
BRIGID MURTAGH,
Bray, Co Wicklow.
Sir, – I fell on the Wicklow Way some years ago. I sustained a compound fracture of my ankle that required two operations. Never for an instant did I consider it was anyone’s fault but my own. I was appropriately attired and had walking poles, but when one pursues a pastime like hillwalking one has to assume there will be an element of personal risk.
I, and many people like me, enjoy getting out in the mountains every weekend and feel we owe a great debt of gratitude to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Mountain Meitheal volunteers, who do their best to maintain and build paths to open up wild areas and make them accessible to all.
Hillwalking is a free, healthy and enjoyable pastime. I greatly fear litigation may compromise this accessibility. – Yours, etc,
MAUREEN FALLON,
Dublin 4.