Tensions arising from a row over planning in the village of Dowra on the Cavan-Leitrim border have increased as a German couple who have lived in the area for nine years claim they are being intimidated by members of a local development association.
As reported in this column last week, a number of meetings have been held where anger has been expressed at An Taisce and "others from outside the area" who have objected to planning applications.
The chairman of Dowra Development Association, Mr Gerry McMorrow, has denied that any members of the group have ever tried to intimidate the couple, Dr Roland and Ms Christine Heine.
He said he and other members of the association intended to take legal action against a spokesman for An Taisce who accused them of using "Ku Klux Klan-type tactics" against the Heines.
The Heines, who have objected to a number of developments in the area, say they are only opposed to housing estates and large-scale tourism developments and that they believe there is a need for "a vision" for Dowra.
On four separate occasions over the past two weeks, members of Dowra Development Association have walked up to the Heines' house at the end of a laneway. Mr McMorrow said they went there because a public right of way passes the house, and the Development Association was submitting a proposal to Leitrim County Council to have the path upgraded to a forest walkway/amenity area. In order to do this they had to take pictures and measurements.
Asked why on one occasion 24 people approached the Heines' house, Mr McMorrow said six people from the association were due to go, but when other people heard they were going, they decided to go also to assert their right to use the path. He could not prevent them from doing so.
Dr Heine denied there was a public right of way, saying that documents he obtained when buying the property indicated that only two local farmers had a right of way. He believes members of the association are only approaching his house to try to silence him.
Mr McMorrow said he and other locals would continue to use the path. He was a land-owner in the area and he could not now go to his land on his own because of Dr Heine's allegations.
A local Fine Gael councillor, Mr Jim McPadden, who has supported the development association's criticisms of An Taisce, said he would be submitting the forest walk plan to the council.