Court Judgement on Hill Walking of Serious Concern to Farmers

IFA Hill Committee Chairman Pat Dunne has expressed concern on behalf of hill farmers at the recent court judgement awarding damages to a claimant following an incident while walking on the Wicklow Mountains.

While the judgement relates to property owned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, farmers will be very wary of the consequences where hill walkers ramble off designated routes.

Pat Dunne said this matter must be discussed now at the Comhairle na Tuaithe recreational body so that farmers and landowners can be given assurances that their rights are protected and that no such claims could arise on private lands.

IFA believes that the development of walkways should be done through agreement and that where claims may arise, farmers must be indemnified.
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