Priest and community group resolve action over access to Donegal beach

A community group and a Catholic priest have resolved High Court proceedings concerning public access to Castlegoland beach in County Donegal. Save our Beach at Castlegoland CLG and Fr John Moore had challenged works at the Lake House Hotel and Portnoo Golf Club, claiming they obstructed established rights of way to the shore and lacked planning permission. The applicants argued the developments had damaged the scenic amenity and local ecology. The respondents, including businessmen Liam and Paul McDevitt of Knather Acquisitions Unlimited, and hotel owner Midge Holdings Limited, denied wrongdoing. Before Ms Justice Siobhan Phelan, the parties reached an agreed settlement. Public access to the beach has been restored. The respondents agreed to remove electric fencing and monitoring equipment within weeks and to expedite a planning appeal with An Bord Pleanála. Removal of screen berms and a water storage tank is stayed for one year to allow regularisation of their planning status. The hotel has agreed not to open to the public during this period. The applicants recovered their legal costs.