Judge in Lissadell case to visit estate

The High Court Judge hearing the dispute between the owners of Lissadell House and Sligo County Council has said he will visit the estate before the conclusion of the case.

Mr Justice Bryan Mc Mahon announced his intention yesterday during the hearing on whether or not rights of way exist through the estate.

According to the Irish Times, Mr Justice Mc Mahon asked both sides involved in the dispute what would be an appropriate time for him to visit Lissadell House.

The case between owners Constance Cassidy and Edward Walsh and Sligo County Council is continuing in the High Court today after getting underway on Tuesday following an adjournment last October.

Yesterday, counsel for the owners told the court that they disputed the council’s claim that public rights of way were created under some 14  grants made in the 19th century for the upkeep of roads between Lissadell and other locations in counties Leitrim and Sligo.

Brian Murray SC said that the crucial issue was that these grants appeared to relate to roads ”between” Lissadell and other locations and not ”within” the estate itself.

His side was unable to find any grant referring to the building at or within Lissadell itself.

Mr Murray was addressing issues in the councils counter claim in the proceedings brought against it by the owners in which they are seeking declarations that there are no public rights of way over four roads in Lissadell.

The High Court action is expected to last several weeks.