A dispute is looming between residents in Doonbeg and the local golf club over access to the local beach through part of the Greg Norman designed golf-course.
Doonbeg Golf Club has started High Court proceedings against local people who continue to drive tractors across the course at the 5th fairway. The chief executive of the club, Mr Leonard Long, said yesterday that those driving on the golf course are trespassing.
"They have no right to drive across the golf club's land, which is private property." he said. Mr Long claims the tractors are causing damage to the protected 2 millimetre snail, Vertigo angustior, and the fragile grey dune environment, which has been designated as a candidate Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive. He said: "In driving vehicles in this very sensitive area continuous damage is being done both to the environment and to the golf club fairways."
The exclusive golf club officially opened last July. Green fees are €185 for non-members. Mr Long said yesterday it was "highly irresponsible and not safe" for vehicles to be present when golf is being played.
He added: "Over the past two years we have made strenuous efforts to resolve the matter amicably. Unfortunately assurances in relation to not driving vehicles across the golf course have not been given, and we have been left with no alternative but to have the matter resolved in court." A spokesman for the Doonbeg Golf Club stressed yesterday that the pedestrian right of way is not disputed by the club. Ms Sinéad Carroll of the Cahermore and Caherfeenick Action Group said yesterday that the High Court action will be contested. She said she was disappointed the club has decided to take the court action,
Ms Carroll added: "The practice of tractors going through the right of way on the land is continuing a tradition that has gone on over generations where locals, including my father, collected sea-weed and periwinkles from the shore."
She said that the locals have documented proof of the right of way and that it would stand up in any court. "I have a map dating back to 1917 where the right of way is shown."
"The course has not been damaged by the tractors. We as individuals have at all times maintained a high level of care when crossing the property of Doonbeg Golf Club and have never interfered with the property in any way.
Ms Carroll said the conservation area would have always been subject to occasional traffic. "We are glad to say that the Vertigo angustior has remained intact."
Ms Carroll said the group wishes the club every success. "We just want the freedom to enjoy the rights handed down to us by our forefathers and continue this tradition into the future and beyond."
A previous right of way dispute with the community at another part of the course was resolved in June 2001 when the club agreed to build a new road to the beach and a public car park for 40 cars at a cost of €500,000.
