Hikers insist developers of golf course cannot block route

A group of about 30 walkers gathered near Enniskerry on the Dublin/Wicklow border yesterday to follow a right of way on which "keep out" notices had been placed in recent weeks.

Before walking along the right of way across a number of fields on the former Leeson family farm - on which the RTÉ series Celebrity Farm was filmed - the walkers placed placards, advising the presence of the right of way. These were placed beside a number of "keep out" notices, signs forbidding entry to "unauthorised persons" and signs advising the presence of a construction site.

The walkers were monitored on their trip by a representative of Southern Golf, a UK-based company which is developing a golf course on the farm on behalf of the Cosgrave property group.

The property group has said the course is being developed for Dún Laoghaire Golf Club as part payment for the club's existing course in central Dún Laoghaire. The Dún Laoghaire course has been rezoned in the draft county development plan.

However, in an address to the walkers yesterday Mr Niall Lenoach of the Enniskerry Walking Association said the draft development plan had listed the right of way for preservation and, he claimed, the developers had no right to keep people out.

Speaking to The Irish Times after the walk, Mr Lenoach said the right of way was one of a number in the area, some of which linked up with the Wicklow Way.

"There were a lot of these rights of way, but the last 15 years has seen a steady erosion of them. That erosion has become much worse in the last five years".

Mr Lenoach paid tribute to the officials and members of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council who, he said, had taken "an important step" in listing the right of way for preservation, but he cautioned that they must not be ignored.

Mr Lenoach said the walkers were also concerned over other rights of way on the Wicklow side of the border as farmers were resisting having them listed in the forthcoming Wicklow county development plan.

During the walk Mr Nick Clarke of Southern Golf told The Irish Times he was there as a representative of the golf course makers. He was, he said, observing on behalf of his employers and his chief concern was for the safety of those present.He carried a camera in the normal course of his site work, he said.