Councillors angry as advice on Lissadell not disclosed
The council lost the battle in the Supreme Court and now faces up to €10m costs to add to its €94m debt.
Most councillors also pleaded with barristers Edward Walsh and his wife Constance Cassidy to return to Lissadell which they own and continue developing it as a tourist resort.
But they may have to do a lot more to persuade the family to reopen the estate which was the ancestral home of 1916 Rising figure Countess Markievicz.
Mr Walsh, who was not at the meeting, refused to comment about his plans and said “it all ended” in 2010. That was the last time Lissadell was opened to the public for concerts featuring Leonard Cohen and Westlife. “I am a private citizen and I am not making any public comments about Lissadell,” he added.
Councillors yesterday voted for a report to be made at a special meeting on all the information discussed by council officials and legal advisors prior to a decision to go to court.
They also voted to be provided with the legal opinion, previously undisclosed, which supported their decision to pursue the case.
Labour councillor Jimmy McGarry led the attack on officials and legal advisors.
“The recent verdict left me feeling extremely angry, not only on behalf of the Walsh/Cassidy family but also on behalf of the people of Sligo. The actions of the council are indefensible and baffling.”
Acting county manager Dorothy Clarke said it would be remiss of her to make a statement until after the case is totally concluded when the Supreme Court makes a decision on costs.
Activists had fought to keep four access routes through the estate open to the public. The court ruled last month there was only one right of way on a small part of an avenue with access to the coast.
