Sir, - It is good that Michael Finlan continues to remind us that after seven years this beach is still fenced off to the public. Despite being given the widest publicity, in the press, radio and on television, politicians and county officials continue to ignore the public demand for the removal of the fence or for access to the beach by means of a stile.
Of course both politicians and county officials continue to make promises that access will be made available to the public. Nothing is ever done but they do vary their promises. I quote from letters in my possession from around 1992 onwards. "It will shortly be resolved"; "progress is being made"; "it is only a temporary fence" (like Fort Knox is temporary); "you will be able to walk this beach again in the near future" etc., etc.
If Michael Finlan, myself or some other ordinary soul had erected such a fence, Mayo Co Council would have had it removed within days. The council officials would then have been quick to point out that a right of way which had existed for hundreds of years could not legally be closed. Or to use Michael's example, they might have quoted another illegality under Section 11(1A) 12 of the Local Government Planning and Development Regulations, 1977. This states that it is wrong to fence or enclose land that has been open to the public for 10 years before and has been used for recreation or access.
It is obvious there is more to this fence than meets the eye. More, meaning strong political clout and then more, so that even Ministers, TDs and county officials bow the knee and do nothing. May God help us because it seems nobody else has the power or the will to do so. - Yours, etc..
Carrickbawn,
Slaugar,
Westport,
Co Mayo.