Facts of the case

TERESA O’MALLEY (Irish Examiner, Jan 8) says that Andy McSharry was jailed “as a result of a charge brought by hill walkers walking on his land”.

The facts are different. Mr McSharry was jailed because he failed to pay a fine of 300 following his conviction for intimidating hill walkers.

The charges were brought by the DPP not by the hill walkers.

We are appalled that his action has been endorsed by the IFA president and by the Irish Cattle and Sheepowners Association. This seems to send a message that hill walkers are fair game for landowners to assault.

Roger Garland,

Chairman,

Keep Ireland Open,

43, Butterfield Drive,

Dublin 14.