Sheep farmer agrees to allow ESB on to property

A landowner from Manorcunningham in County Donegal has agreed to allow the ESB and Eirgrid access to his property to carry out essential upgrade work on the electricity network. Patrick Gallagher had initially obstructed the companies' efforts to upgrade a 110-kilowatt power line affecting supply across Donegal. The High Court heard that over 200 other property owners had consented to the works without objection. Mr Gallagher, representing himself, had disputed compensation entitlements relating to previous work conducted on his land during the 1990s and alleged prior damage caused by the ESB. Following negotiations before Mr Justice Paul Gilligan, the parties agreed to submit outstanding compensation matters to independent arbitration. Mr Gallagher gave an undertaking not to interfere with the work, and the case was adjourned to June.