Madam, - I was surprised to read the statement from the owners of Lissadell House regarding the closure of a public road over the estate (The Irish Times, April 27th). A notice on the barrier says the roadway has been closed temporarily for construction works.
While anyone with young children will be sympathetic to the concerns of the Walsh-Cassidys with regard to traffic, they appear to be labouring under a misapprehension as to the steps they can take. No-one, whether they own a large estate or a modest semi-detached house, is entitled to interfere with public rights of way or roads.
Furthermore the Walsh-Cassidys, who purchased the estate with knowledge of the roadway, the route of which is likely to have had a bearing on the value of the house, can at least install traffic calming measures on their own land. Those who live permanently along the public roadway over which the Lissadell traffic has now been redirected and whose children are placed at risk accordingly are not in a similar position.
There is surely a solution, particularly if the house is to re-open to the public, which addresses the owners' concerns while preserving the rights of way. With the necessary consents the route of the roadway could be diverted within the Lissadell curtilage behind and away from the house. Alternatively, the existing road could simply be fenced. - Yours, etc.,
JANE ANDREWS, Lissadell, Ballinfull, Co Sligo.