ICSA warns of potential ramifications for cycle routes following hill walker award

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association believes a court award for a hill walker has potential ramifications for cycle route developments.   

ICSA rural development chairman Seamus Sherlock has expressed 'grave concern' at the recent award of €40,000 to the hill walker who claimed successfully against the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

“This sends out a clear message to farmers and landowners that hill walkers can claim successfully for injuries sustained when walking. While the claim related to a structure put in place by the NPWS, there will now be a growing fear that this will embolden others to try their luck in the courts,” said Mr Sherlock.

He pointed out that the “ICSA has continuously lobbied for a Government national indemnity for farmers who permit hill walkers and mountaineers to walk across their lands, but so far we have not been successful in our pursuit.”

Acccording to Mr Sherlock, “hill walking by its nature involves a small degree of risk and those who participate in this activity should be prepared to accept that risk themselves. It is totally unacceptable that a farmer or landowner should find themselves facing a lawsuit through no fault of their own.”

“We had made significant progress over the years in fostering good relations with hill walkers. Comhairle na Tuaithe have assisted greatly in encouraging this interaction,” said Mr Sherlock.  

He claimed “this ruling has set back all of the progress made in recent years and it makes it difficult for ICSA to encourage farmers to allow access. It also has potential ramifications for the development of cycling routes.”