A leading five-star hotel and conference venue in Killarney has been summonsed to appear in court accused of illegally cutting down and or uprooting a large number of trees on lands bordering the biggest of the Killarney lakes.
Hotel Europe is part of a group of luxury hotels in Killarney owned by the Liebherr Group, which also has a crane company in Killarney.
The lakeside hotel, with spectacular views of Lough Leane and the Macgillycuddy's Reeks on extensive grounds, is on the main Ring of Kerry road.
The prosecution is being brought by the Minister for Agriculture and Food against Killarney Hotels Ltd, South Mall Cork.
It alleges the company caused or permitted "the uprooting and or cutting down" of 263 trees on lands at Hotel Europe, Fossa, Killarney on February 3rd 2005, without complying with the terms of Section 37 (1) of the Forestry Act 1946. A similar summons has been served on Hans Brunner of Hotel Europe.
The summonses relate to trees over 10-years-old. Section 37 (1) of the Forestry Act says it is illegal to cut down trees over 10-years-old without first giving proper written notice to the Garda.
At yesterday's court, solicitor for accused Maurice Coffey, applied for statements and documents relating to the accusations. Judge James O'Connor granted the application and adjourned the matter with consent from State Solicitor Ed O'Sullivan for hearing to the first court in September.