Jarvey dispute re-ignites in Killarney

A dispute regarding horses manure reignited at a top Irish tourist spot today with carriages banned for a second time.

Jarveys driving jaunting cars around Killarney National Park were again refused entry for ignoring calls to attach dung-catchers to their cars.

They claim the device is a “nappy”, it is unsafe and would aggravate the animals.

Paul Tangney, a jarvey in Killarney for 25 years, said officials were determined to put operators out of business.

“I just don’t care what they want to do if they just want to put families out of work and close businesses,” he said.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) blocked jarveys from the park in July for flouting the new regulations and later lifted the summer ban but the latest row threatens autumn and winter trade.

Authorities said the lock-out would go on until jarveys agreed to hang bags from the carriage.

Mr Tangney said they only found out about the ban when they arrived at the park with a carriage-full of tourists.

“They didn’t even notify us,” he said.

“We went down with a group of 40 Americans hoping to see the wildlife, the deer and the lakes and we got to the gates and there was a big bollard in front of us.”

The NPWS said up to 66 jaunting cars operate in the park and they had been repeatedly reminded of the new dung-catcher requirement before it came into force at the beginning of June.

The body said it will continue the ban until operators begin using the devices.

However, jarveys are opposed to the new laws claiming it would put the safety of passengers at risk as the device would aggravate horses.

The NPWS said it has done all in its power to find a resolution to the row, even allowing the jarveys back into the park in July despite a High Court ruling backing the state’s decision.

The body said an independent facilitator had been sent in to help roll-out the dung-catchers but jarveys refused to co-operate.

“The NPWS has repeated its desire to avoid conflict and has acted in a fair and reasonable manner but has been compelled to take this action as a very last resort,” a statement said.

Mr Tangney said he feels he is being forced to use the dung-catchers despite his safety concerns.

“Do they want to see dung in the street or blood in the street?” he said.

“The horses could get startled with this thing rubbing off their hind legs.”