A chara, – Unlike other countries, such as Britain, all aspects of access to our countryside are uniquely emotive and complex. Walkers have no legal rights here, face great uncertainty and are mostly trespassers.
While I agree generally with the well-informed and balanced views of John G O'Dwyer (Opinion, May 2nd), I sincerely hope, in the public's best interests, that the recent award to an injured hillwalker, will not "restrict our access to nature's walks", already so limited.
Walkers selflessly supported the Occupiers’s Liability Act, 1995, although it reduced considerably landowners’ duty to “not causing deliberate injury nor reckless disregard” to walkers. – Is mise,
SEÁN CUINN
An Charraig Dhubh,
Baile Átha Cliath.
Sir,– While I thought John O’Dwyer’s article (Opinion, May 2nd) was informative and generally fair-minded, I disagree with him on one common misconception prevalent particularly among hillwalkers.
Contrary to O’Dwyer’s opinion about the “many landowners who gladly allow access to the Irish countryside” this generosity is far from generally evident on the ground. Some years ago the Irish Farmers’ Association put in a claim to allow permissive (ie not permanent) footpaths over farmland at a colossal €5,000 per kilometre plus €1,000 per farm, all per year.
The government of course rejected this outrageous claim. The present position is therefore that, in stark contrast to common European practice, it is up to the landowner alone to permit or reject walkers, regardless of how remote and uncultivated the land is.
Even where access is permitted the landowner is most unlikely to allow the necessary infrastructure (stiles, footbridges, etc) since this might imply a legal right of way at some time in the distant future. In this context I am at a loss to know where the trail improvements that O’Dwyer refers to, actually are.
All this is such a shame since Ireland’s countryside and mountains are so attractive. Sadly, a profitable line of tourism will remain unexploited until walkers and others put pressure on government to radically change the present unsatisfactory situation.
– Yours, etc,
DAVID HERMAN
Benllech,
Wales.
Sir, – Walked the Wicklow Way today – fantastic experience. But I slipped on a wet spot, not my fault, grasped on to a fence to save myself, not a good idea, it was a barbed wire fence. Finger and wrist bloodied, not life threatening thankfully. Treated injuries myself, no call to the emergency services. However, is there any barrister out there who can get me damages of say, €20,000? I promise him/her 50 per cent of of the settlement, easy money.
– Yours, etc,
JOHN LOSCHER
Roundwood,
Co Wicklow.