Mayo County Council accused of ignoring legal requirements when entering Murrisk Greenway lands

Mayo County Council have been accused of ignoring legal requirements when entering property to carry out surveys as part of the Murrisk Greenway project.

Last month, landowners along the preferred route option of the Murrisk Greenway from Belclare to Murrisk were informed that an environmental survey was to take part on land along the route. As part of this process, the landowners were informed that walk-over surveys will be non-intrusive and identification will be carried by personnel while walking the subject lands.

Last week, one landowner claimed that individuals from Mayo County Council entered his property with proper identification and contacted Mayo County Council requesting that they no longer enter his property without his permission.

“I am writing to formally report and strongly object to an incident that occurred on my lands today [Wednesday], whereby two individuals entered my private property without permission and stated that they were carrying out survey works in connection with the proposed Belclare to Murrisk Greenway,” the landowner stated in correspondence to Mayo County Council, which was seen by The Mayo News.

“At no point was consent sought or granted for access to my lands. This unauthorised entry constitutes a clear trespass.

“Their presence within the fields caused significant disturbance to my livestock, which were driven into a state of distress and disarray. This created an immediate animal welfare concern and presents a risk to both the animals and farm operations. This situation is entirely unacceptable.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I categorically state that no access is permitted to my lands for any surveys, inspections, or works associated with this project under any circumstances.

“Any further attempt to enter my property without permission will be treated as trespass and dealt with accordingly.

“I am taking this matter to the Gardaí in fear for the welfare of my livestock, the privacy of my home, and the security of my land.

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“I request that you immediately investigate this matter, confirm whether these individuals were acting on behalf of Mayo County Council, and provide written assurances that no further unauthorised access will occur,” the landowner concluded.

The landowner stated that the two individuals identified themselves as being employed by Mayo County Council and while he stated they gave their names, only one was able to provide any form of identification.

A spokesperson for the Belclare-Murrisk Committee who are a group of landowners opposed to the Greenway going through their lands stated that this incident shows that Mayo County Council are ignoring their own legal requirements regarding entering people's property to carry out surveys.

“Mayo County Council are surveying people's land in this area without permission as they give appearance if hill walkers and land is not necessarily adjoining their homes. The letter is solid evidence that Mayo officials are ignoring their legal requirements,” the spokesperson said.

Mayo County Council were contacted to comment on whether surveys were currently taking place on land along the proposed route but a reply was not received at the time of going to print.