Circuit court to hear Cliffs of Moher land dispute

There is an urgency in a court hearing a land-row between two landowners across Clare Co Council’s spectacular new €400,000 walkway at the Cliffs of Moher.

That is according to solicitor for Michael O’Brien of Lurraga, Doolin, Siofra Hassett who told Co Clare’s Registrar court in Ennis yesterday the dispute has resulted in the hold-up in the completion of certain walks at the Cliffs of Moher.

Ms Hassett told registrar Patrick Wallace there is an urgency in hearing the case.

Last Friday, Clare mayor Pat Daly (FF) officially opened the 12km walkway from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher in spite of the land row continuing.

The legal row between neighbours, Mr O’Brien and Joseph Connole of Lough South, Liscannor, has prevented the council surfacing a 600m portion of the walkway north of the cliffs.

Mr O’Brien has had a court injunction taken out against his neighbour interfering with his property since last October and the matter is due to go to hearing at Ennis Circuit Court next month.

However, a right of way exists across the entire walkway and the row does not prevent walkers accessing any portion of the route.

At the registrar’s court yesterday, solicitor for Mr Connole Charles Foley said that the case is to be specially fixed for next month and will take a full day.

In response to a question from Mr Wallace, Mr Foley said there was a commercial aspect to the case.

There are 38 landowners on the route between Hags Head and Doolin and landowners participating in the five-year walks maintenance scheme receive maintenance payments on average of €500 per annum.