The Co Sligo farmer jailed for threatening and abusing hill-walkers using his land is due to be released later today.

TERESA O’MALLEY (Irish Examiner, Jan 8) says that Andy McSharry was jailed “as a result of a charge brought by hill walkers walking on his land”.

THE jailing of a Co Sligo farmer who did not pay a fine for using threatening and abusive behaviour towards two hill walkers on his land has re-opened an emotive rural issue — the rights of private property owners versus public access to the countryside for recreation.