Nally verdict gives no assurance to walkers

THE verdict in the Pádraig Nally case increases well-founded fears among walkers about venturing onto the mountains and hills of Ireland.

While most farmers willingly allow access over their land, in recent years there have been more than a few cases of walkers being physically and verbally assaulted on open, remote ground where they assumed they were safe. The latest case was that of two elderly ladies from Scotland who were outrageously abused while out walking in Kerry.

They won’t be back — and neither will their friends.