Farmer who allegedly operates an unapproved airstrip on a neighbor’s land



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A farmer is allegedly operating a private jet runway on a neighbor’s land without the approval of aviation or local authorities, the Superior Court heard.

Judge Leonie Reynolds on Wednesday granted an interim order restricting James Carey, Preston Hill, Stamullen, Co Meath, from using as an airfield or runway any part of a neighboring 32-acre property owned by the Alcove Ireland home development company. Eight Ltd. Alcove claims Carey has performed earthworks on the property and has posted Facebook posts that refer to its grass court in Stamullen.

He also posted a video showing a “tap and go” landing of a small plane on his land, Alcove says. Alcove Principal Raymond Reilly said in an affidavit that it is part of a series of interference over the past three years with property that Alcove has leased to another farmer for grazing since 2012. Alcove intends to shortly file a planning permission to develop the land. Mr. Reilly claims that Mr. Carey’s actions have included breaking down fences, allowing livestock to enter his land, and placing beehives on part of it.

The water connection used by the farmer who rents the land has been cut and a trench cut in an access road built by him to the land, it is claimed. Earlier this month, a container and 15 bales of silage were taken to the field and electric fences were cut, it is further claimed.

Gardaí was called in, but Carey did not restore the land or remove the material, Reilly said. Among his Facebook posts, Mr. Carey referred to “33 illegally defrauded acres of my late biological grandmother in the back of my house,” Mr. Reilly said. Carey has not responded to requests to restore the land and not interfere with it, he added.

Alcove is also seeking orders for Carey to remove all material from the land and stop its alleged raid. Eoghan Cole BL, of Alcove, said that the urgency of the injunction request, filed ex parte (only one party is represented) arises from the “erratic conduct” of Mr. Carey.

Judge Reynolds said she was pleased to grant the order restricting the operation of the land as an airstrip given the health and safety concerns involved and the apparent absence of licenses to do so. The Irish Aviation Authority should receive the order, he added. The case returns next week.

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