Walk on Old Head of Kinsale

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday April 01, 2002 01:02 by amanda - imc

Between 70 and 80 people braved horrible weather to exercise their right of way to walk on the old head, a public right of way and now a very exclusive golf course.

We arrived there this afternoon to be greeted by a counter protest which consisted of about 15 workers who were paid to be there. They were not allowed to speak to us but their apparent leader, Edmund Butler gave me a number and told me he would make a stament at a later date.
When we reached the gate we were locked out, and greeted by a sign saying members and guests only. Gardai inspector Pat Maher of Bandon Station informed the security staff that we had right of way and the gates must be opened, he did so very reluctantly.
The security staff would still not open the gates so a number of us climbed the fence using ladders and carpet to cover the razor wire. The security staff said they would open the gates but would not let the dogs through, so the people without dogs walked through and the dog owners and a few other helped the dogs over the fence. Including one large full grown Border Collie/Alsation cross breed.
What was very disturbing was the fact that the inspector in charge told us he would not do anything to enforce the law if it was not agreed to by the management of Ashford holdings. I intend to follow this up.