Farmer Ordered Not To Trespass Lands At Russborough House Pending Legal Action

The High Court has ordered a Wicklow farmer not to trespass on the grounds of Russborough House in Blessington in west Wicklow, pending a legal action over a dispute about his right to farm on part of the estate.

According to the Irish Independent, the Alfred Beit Foundation, which owns and operates Russborough House, secured the injunction against a local farmer, David Egar, from entering the property.

The court  was told Mr Egar, of  Main Street, Blessington, has been farming various lands on the estate since 1976 following an agreement with both Sir Alfred Beit and Lady Clementine but that relations with the Foundation had since broken down.

The dispute centres on whether Mr Egar has a lease or is entitled to a lease on six fields totalling 100 acres, that directly surround Russborough House.