Chief island landowner to ignore OPW sale deadline

THE principle landowner on the Great Blasket Island says he will not accept today’s deadline for agreement on the sale of the island to the Office of Public Works.

The State agency is still hoping to strike a deal with the majority of land owners on the Great Blasket to aid plans to develop the island as a national park.

Already this month, the OPW extended the deadline by 14 days to clear up some confusion surrounding the deal but, save for a couple of days grace, today is the last opportunity for landowners to decide on its €1.7 million offer to buy the island.