Kildare farmer to leave house after losing High Court challenge

A farmer in Co Kildare is to be forced from his home after losing a High Court challenge to a compulsory purchase order on his land.

The 72 acres owned by Thomas Reid, is beside the Carton House Estate and Intel, and is the subject of a CPO order by the Industrial Development Authority.

The 18th century house at Blakestown, Maynooth has been home to Thomas Reid’s family for more than 100 years.

Now he will have to leave the house and its lands which became the subject of a compulsory purchase order by the IDA after the farmer declined an offer to sell up the land for development.

The 51-year-old has lost a court action in which he claimed his Constitutional rights were breached and that the inquiry process which led to the IDA’s decision was flawed.

The court expressed sympathy for Mr Reid’s position but said many sacrifices must be made in light of the need, never greater, to increase employment and generate business.

Mr Justice John Hedigan said he was driven to the conclusion that 'the national interest must outweigh the individual'.