A number of farmers are facing court proceedings initiated by Kerry County Council, after they refused the council access to their lands to conduct site investigations as part of the Kerry greenway.

The council confirmed that they are “seeking court approval for a statutory ‘Notice to Enter’ to enter a small number of properties so that site investigations can be completed”.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that four farmers are affected by the court proceedings, two of whom are understood to be in their 80s.

Proposal

The proposed Kerry Greenway is 26km from Glenbeigh to Renard via Cahersiveen, and has caused consternation between the council and some farm owners, who fear further land fragmentation on largely marginal land.

One farmer from the Greenway Action Group told the Irish Farmers Journal the Greenway would split the only suitable silage ground he had.

Some 197 landowners will be affected by compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), and the IFA met with Minster for Transport Shane Ross to insist that further consultation takes place between farmers and the local authority during any greenway decisions.

“The IFA delegation that met with Minister Ross made the strongest case possible for the immediate appointment of an agronomist to this project and for the threat of CPOs to be dropped,” president of the IFA Joe Healy stated.

Local economy

However, the council believes that the Greenway is vital to the local economy and stated: “Given the enormous potential of the project from an economic and tourism point of view, particularly in an area which has experienced depopulation and rural decline in recent years, the council decided to acquire the land by compulsory purchase.”

The Greenway Action Group consulted with the IFA on the issues they had with the council but told the Irish Farmers Journal that they were not seeking the appointment of an agronomist.