A 87-year-old woman is leading an increasingly bitter dispute with developers after she claimed she was denied access through a right of way to her land.
Frail pensioner Patricia Coyle is furious over the erection and locking of security gates on an access road at Aghadachor shore front near Carrigart.
More than 100 local people came out this week to support Mrs Coyle who says she is being denied access to 33 acres of her land by a development company building a Beach Activity Centre.
The company involved in putting ‘security measures’ in place at Aghadachor, T&G Properties however has insisted that no right of way has ever been blocked. This is disputed by local people.
A spokesman for the developers said: “The promoters have at no time denied access to local people and have no intention of privatising the Beach which in fact forms an integral part of the project and following completion of the construction all facilities including the Beach will be open to the public.”
However walkers and athletes claim they have ‘been told to f*** off from the site’ and told they were trespassers.
The company also denied this.
Mrs Coyle, from Glenree, checked out of hospital to attend a public meeting on the row.
The Tirconail Tribune reports the right of way provides access to sand dunes: the beach front and to farmland apart from a major construction development now underway to build a beach activity centre overlooking Sheephaven Bay some three miles from Carrigart on the Creeslough road.
Five local politicians spoke at the meeting and they included Deputy Joe McHugh: Senator Brian O’Domhnaill and Cllrs. Ian McGarvey, Noel McBride and Liam Blaney.
One local man, Tony McCarry said the heavily gated laneway was a ‘right of way’ and it once was the main road from Creeslough into Carrigart.
The controversy involves the community who claim a ‘right of way’ access to The Inner Beach, lands and beyond to the Sandyhills dunes and T&G Properties who stand accused of erecting two locked security gates on the laneway at the entrance to where they are constructing a holiday activity centre with further plans to include, sports hall, an 18 hole pitch and putt course and a golf driving range.
A development of 27 holiday villas have already been built as part of the €5M investment.
Work has been ongoing ever since it was cleared for planning by Donegal County Council in September last year.
The local community welcomed the development and potential job opportunities but with some reservations. These concerns were clearly amplified at the public meeting with locals pointing out that there had been ‘interference’ with the shorefront below the high tide mark.
Again this has been officially denied.
But now that original welcome has turned colder as the community has a huge gripe with the extent of the work: their concerns about the right of way and access to this particular beach.
“I am not against development, but it must be in harmony with the wishes of the community. People’s rights should not be obstructed and I find this particular situation regrettable,” said Cllr Ian McGarvey.
Cllr Liam Blaney said the right of way was originally the old county road and as such people had the right of access, regardless of developments.
Deputy Joe McHugh said it was obvious to him that everyone involved needs to start talking to each other. He said that there is a serious need for dialogue and the facts must be established.
“We need to progress from this meeting here today in a constructive manner and the public representatives are there to ensure that your rights are recognised,” he added.
The general tenor of the crowd, while good humoured was nevertheless one of a steely determination that their beloved right of way stays exactly as it is.
T&G said: “In response to a meeting which took place on site on Sunday 29th September 2013 at Cuan Na Rí Ocean Front Resort, Aghadachor, Carrigart, Co Donegal we wish to comment as follows:- The entire site is the location of extensive construction works and is subject to Statutory Regulations regarding Health & Safety and Insurance Covers which include controlled access to same during the construction phase.
“The project covers approximately 180 acres of tourism related lands. new Beach Activity Centre, Sports Hall, Bar & Restaurant, Tennis Courts, Games Areas, Childrens Playground, Pitch & Putt Course and Associated Activities, Beach Promenade & Boardwalk. It also includes 27no. new Self Catering Holiday Villas.
“The promoters have at no time denied access to local people and have no intention of privatising the Beach which in fact forms an integral part of the project and following completion of the construction all facilities including the Beach will be open to the public. The works are all being carried out with the approval of and to the satisfaction of Donegal County Council and National Park & Wildlife Service.”
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