Wicklow Fianna Fáil TD Pat Casey has welcomed today’s decision of the High Court to reverse the award of €40,000 in damages to a hill walker who injured herself while walking on the Wicklow Way.
“My first speech in Dáil Eireann raised this issue as it potentially could have resulted in the closure of most if not all walking trails in Wicklow which would have been disastrous for our tourist industry. All my working life I have seen at first hand the benefits of the outdoor recreation industry to Wicklow and this award if upheld could have destroyed that multi-million euro benefit to the Garden County.”
“In want to praise the National Parks and Wildflife Service, Wicklow Uplands Council, Mountaineering Ireland, County Wicklow Partnership and all involved in the work that was needed to get this common sense judgement.”
“There probably still needs to be legislation and/or Government action to insure that our upland walking trails are not subject to this type of spurious claim. I will be making continued enquiries in the Dáil to ensure that his happens. Wicklow must be kept open to those who wish to use our native landscape in a responsible manner.”
Did you know?
The Wicklow Way stretches 129k starting in Marley Park, Co.Dublin all the way to Clonegal in Co.Carlow.
Typically completed in 5–7 days, it is one of the busiest of Ireland’s National Waymarked Trails, with up to 24,000 people a year walking the most popular sections.
The walk can be done in seven stages
- Marlay Park to
Knockree - Knockree to
Roundwood - Roundwood to
Glendalough - Glendalough to
Glenmalure - Glenmalure to
Moyne - Moyne to
Shillelagh - Shilleagh to
Clonegal
