Ó Cuív joined as defendant in case after castle protest

FIANNA Fáil deputy leader Éamon Ó Cuív will be joined as a defendant to High Court proceedings following his participation in a right-of-way protest through the grounds of Ashford Castle in defiance of a High Court injunction.

He could face a claim for damages by the hotel owner, Ashford Castle Estate Ltd and Ashford Castle Properties Ltd.

Barrister James Dwyer, SC, counsel for the Cong hotel owner, told Mr Justice John Edwards yesterday that while a number of people had protested peacefully outside the castle grounds on Friday evening last Mr Ó Cuiv took part in a protest through the grounds.

Mr Dwyer said the High Court had earlier on Friday granted an interim injunction restraining protesters, including anyone with knowledge of the court’s ruling, from mounting a protest.

He said it was announced earlier on local radio that the protest was to be staged against closure of a purported public right-of-way through the grounds.

Mr Dwyer told the court that the protesters had been publicly advised of the court injunction but nevertheless the protest, including Mr Ó Cuív, had gone ahead.

He said it was the hotel owner’s intention to join Mr Ó Cuív to the proceedings. A very significant number of people, including the Fianna Fáil TD, had blatantly ignored the court order. He said Mr Ó Cuiv not only protested but held a meeting of protesters in the grounds of Ashford Castle Estate.

“We intend to have Ó Cuív named as a party to the proceedings. It was an entirely inappropriate course of action for him to take,” Mr Dwyer said.

The court yesterday accepted an undertaking by two local people not to participate in any protest at Ashford Castle or interfere with or obstruct guests, staff or suppliers at the hotel.

The dispute arose out of a decision taken by management during the Quiet Man Festival in August, when traffic was restricted and a number of gates closed and manned by security.

The proceedings were adjourned to the new law term in October to allow Mr Dwyer to join those people who should be joined to the proceedings. A trial over the right-of-way dispute may not take place until late next year.