Courts / Galway / Report
Connemara Greenway will "split" farm making it "unmanageable and landlocked", court hears
Summary
A Galway farmer, Paul Neilan, has been granted permission to challenge a compulsory purchase order (CPO) issued by An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) for the Connemara Greenway Project, which he claims would run across his land and 'split' his farm, making it 'unmanageable and landlocked'. At the High Court, lawyers for Oliver Joyce, from Clifden, Co Galway, successfully applied to Ms Justice Emily Farrell to challenge the decision of ACP to grant the CPO to Galway County Council relating to lands he owns in Doireliagh and Doireclunlaigh. The project aims to install a cycle and walkway from Galway city to Clifden over 76 kilometres, which would pass through 'the backbone' of Mr Joyce's property along the old Galway-to-Clifden railway line. Mr Oliver claims the project, as approved, differs from the original proposal, which was to be carried out on a permissive basis. He argues that the CPO decision was 'taken without cause or justification' and that environmental assessments related to the original scheme were not considered for the new elements in the CPO. Ms Justice Farrell granted leave for the judicial review to Michael O'Donnell BL, instructed by Harrington & Co solicitors – for Mr Oliver – and adjourned the matter to September.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Connemara Greenway will "split" farm making it "unmanageable and landlocked", court hears. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- May 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-07-23 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Outcome: Ms Justice Farrell granted leave for the judicial review to Michael O'Donnell BL, instructed by Harrington & Co solicitors – for Mr Oliver – and adjourned the matter to September.
Applicant
Outcome: Ms Justice Farrell granted leave for the judicial review to Michael O'Donnell BL, instructed by Harrington & Co solicitors – for Mr Oliver – and adjourned the matter to September.
Places mentioned
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