IFA say they are fully behind landowners who oppose Westport to Murrisk preferred greenway route

Mayo IFA have this week come out in support of landowners affected by the proposed greenway from Westport to Murrisk on the south coast of Clew Bay. 

The Murrisk Greenway project is being developed by Mayo County Council in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The contentious preferred-route option would see the Greenway go off road from Aughavale Cemetery via the townlands of Cloonagh, Kiladangan and Deerpark towards Murrisk, and would cut through land at the foot of Croagh Patrick.

Mayo IFA County Chairman John Lynskey has questioned the handling of the proposed route by Mayo County Council and its agents in its dealing with local landowners, who would be devastated if the proposed route was to dissect their farm holdings.

Mr Lynskey went on to say that it seems the whole exercise was done on a desktop and with no engagement of the local landowners.

Mr Lynskey said the threat of Compulsory Purchase Orders if engaged would be counterproductive in an area where farmers are an integral part of the local community.

“Mayo County Council needs the support of the local landowners and should engage meaningfully in order to understand landowners concerns,” he concluded.

Mayo IFA Chairman, John Lynskey

William McDonnell, Chairman of the local Lecanvey IFA branch, has weighed in behind his neighbours whom he said are in 'a very distressed state'.

“Some farmers are not sleeping at night with the thoughts of their farm's being dissected along with the fear of trespassers who would gain access to their lands,” he said, adding that the local people along with IFA have no problem with greenways once they are constructed with the full support of the local people.

Mr McDonnell went on to say that there is an alternative route by using the existing road which is flat and has a hard shoulder. Mr McDonnell concluded by saying the whole project is doomed to fail and has left a very sour taste in the local community.

Public meeting

The backing from the IFA comes just days before a public meeting on the greenway controversy.

A local group opposing the proposed route is calling on landowners from Westport to Louisburgh to attend the public meeting in Lecanvey this Friday, April 19.

The meeting, which will be held in Lecanvey Community Centre at 8pm, has been organised by the local Belclare to Murrisk Committee. They are inviting landowners from Belclare to Louisburgh who may be affected by future greenways to listen to a number of speakers who they have asked to address the meeting.

The speakers will include Gerard Quinn, Professor Emeritus in law at the University of Galway, as well as others who will speak on the environmental concerns of greenways, and members of farmers groups who did not sign up to the Greenway Code.

A number of landowners have said they will not give access to their lands and are prepared to go to the High Court. The committee members say they are not against greenways and believe the best option for the community and tourists would be to develop a greenway along the R335, the main road from Westport to Murrisk.