OWNERS of land on the Great Blasket Island yesterday began a High Court action in which they are challenging the constitutionality of legislation to turn the island into a national park.
In December 1996 Mr Justice Kelly found that the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht had the power to make regulations to compulsorily acquire 17 of the 25 plots on the island. The owners of the 17 plots had originally challenged the validity of An Blascaod Mor National Historic Park Act 1989, and are now challenging its constitutionality.
The challenge, is being taken by Blascaod Mor Teo, with registered offices on the island, and the beneficial owners of the company, a Dingle solicitor, Mr Peter Callery; his brother, Mr James Callery, of Cloonahee House, Elphin, Co Roscommon; Ms Kay Brooks, the widow of a former US diplomat; and Mr Matthias Jauch, Mercier Park, Turner's Cross, Cork.
The action is being heard by Mr Justice Budd.