Clare golf club accused of bullying tactics

Doonbeg Golf Club in Co Clare was yesterday accused of adopting "bully-boy tactics" in its row with locals over a disputed vehicle right of way across the €25 million Greg Norman-designed golf resort.

Ms Sinead Carroll, of the Cahermore and Caherfeenick Action Group, made the charge after the golf club initiated moves for the jailing of her husband, Chris Carroll, over the alleged breach of a High Court agreement between the golf club and locals over the disputed right of way.

Earlier this year, the golf club initiated High Court proceedings to prevent locals driving vehicles, including tractors, across the 5th fairway of the course which officially opened 13 months ago.

Prior to the matter going to court, golf club chief executive, Mr Leonard Long, claimed that those driving on the golf course were trespassing, while he also expressed fears over damage being caused to the protected 2mm snail, the vertigo angustior, and to the fragile grey dune environment by the vehicles.

Mr Longe said that it was "highly irresponsible and not safe for vehicles to be present when and where golf is being played".

The High Court proceedings are being contested by local people who claim that they are continuing a tradition, that has gone on over generations, where locals have driven tractors on the right of way to collect seaweed and periwinkles from the nearby shore.

In June, the two sides reached an interim court agreement ahead of a full hearing later this year.

According to a spokesman for the golf club, five individuals, including Chris Carroll, gave an undertaking in the High Court that they would not use their claimed path for pedestrian purposes and would not enter the lands by vehicle without the express consent of the golf club until the main hearing.

However, following a stand-off where locals prevented golf club staff erecting a gate along the disputed right of way, a spokesman alleged that some of these individuals had driven vehicles on to the golf course and prevented the staff of the club going about their duties in breach of their undertaking to the High Court.

The spokesman added that Doonbeg Golf Club "is most disappointed that the undertaking given so recently to the High Court by these individuals has been breached by them".

He said: "The club is, therefore, with great reluctance referring the matter back to the High Court for a further court order."

In a letter to the local group's solicitor, the golf club said they had initiated moves for the committal to prison of Chris Carroll, who they claim drove his vehicle on the golf course and prevented the erection of the gate.

In response to the claim that it has adopted bully-boy tactics, a spokesman for the golf club said yesterday: "Doonbeg Golf Club would certainly refute that and would take exception to it. It does not reflect the very good relationship the club has with the local community."

The spokesman continued: "The claim doesn't stand up. If you give an undertaking to the High Court, you cannot go against that."