Farmers allowed to fence roadway

ENVIRONMENTALISTS who tried to prevent a fence from being erected by farmers on a Connemara commonage to prevent cattle from escaping onto an adjoining road, have failed in their appeal to An Bord Pleanála – one of those opposed to the fence was former Green TD Roger Garland.

There had been incidents of cattle breaking out from the commonage at Ballynahinch and causing minor accidents – the Gardai had expressed concern at the situation.

This was why the interested parties in the commonage at Derryadd West, Ballynahinch erected fencing along the boundary with the road.

Those involved in the Keep Ireland Open group argued that the fencing would prevent walkers accessing the lands.

But An Bord Pleanála ruled that the fencing remain in place. It was a condition that the barbed wire on top of the fence be removed and replaced with a suitable alternative.

The Planning Appeals Board also stated that stiles or gates be provided at suitable locations along the adjoining road – the farmers using the commonage have no issue with this.

It involves around a mile of fencing along a regional road that was erected to prevent livestock from breaking out onto the road. Planning was granted by Galway County Council.

Over recent times local Gardai expressed concerns about the dangers of animals having access to the public road and its implications for motorists.

But former TD Roger Garland appealed to An Bord Pleanála on the basis that the erection of the fence prevented access to the lands from the public wishing to walk there.

He claimed that there was evidence of access to these lands at Derryadd West, Ballinahinch for the past 10 years. This has been disputed by those grazing the lands in question.

The commonage is not grazed by all tenants, but all contributed to the fencing. The REPS and AEOS schemes require that the land must be stock-proof, which cannot be guaranteed without fencing, it is stated in the planning file.

There are two gates, but they would have no objection to putting in a stile if deemed necessary, but the tenants would have concerns regarding insurance if someone was injured.