Builder ordered to end sit-in protest at golf resort

A GOLF course builder who is staging a sit-in at a golf resort was ordered by the courts yesterday to end his protest.

Kelcar Developments, who developed the Blarney Golf Resort in Co Cork, secured an injunction at Cork District Court ordering Mel Flanagan of Irish Golf Design to leave the site.

Mr Flanagan — whose contract to build the John Daly-designed course was terminated in 2005 — has been living in a caravan just inside the resort gates since the weekend.

Following a lengthy legal battle, he was awarded €678,268 in costs and interest penalties last year against Kelcar Developments. As of yesterday, he had not been paid.

Mr Flanagan blockaded the course last week and moved in to a caravan on the site at the weekend. He vowed to stay on the site until he is paid.

It is understood he plans to challenge the injunction on Friday.

Discussions have taken place between Mr Flanagan and Frank McCarthy of Kelcar in recent days but neither side has reached agreement.

“I am here to get my money,” Mr Flanagan said.

“We owe Revenue money, we owe our subcontractors money, we have got a bridging loan with the Ulster Bank.

“It just seems to me that they [Kelcar] don’t have any respect for the law of this land.”

But Mr McCarthy said he is willing to pay — just not on Mr Flanagan’s terms.

He said Mr Flanagan is no longer using the solicitor with whom he had been corresponding and that he is insisting all dealings are done directly with him.

Mr McCarthy said he is still available for discussion and is anxious to resolve the issue.

The golf resort, which opened in 2006, is still operating as normal.