Council faces millions in legal bills over Lissadell access battle

Sligo County Council may have to fork out several million euro in legal costs after the owners of the Lissadell estate won a unanimous Supreme Court ruling that there are no public rights of way across four avenues through the historic grounds.

The five-judge court yesterday found a public right of way across part of a coastal route through the estate taking in the beach at Lissadell, but quashed a High Court declaration granting a right to park cars on Lissadell lands adjoining that section.

The judgment of the court yesterday marks the final stage in the long and bitter legal battle between the council and barristers Constance Cassidy and Edward Walsh, who bought the estate and 410 acres for €4m in 2003 and spent €9.5m restoring it.