Judge grants order to restrain farmer using neighbour’s land as an aerodrome

A FARMER is allegedly operating a landing strip for private aircraft on a neighbour’s land without aviation approval, the High Court has been told.

Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds yesterday granted an order restraining James Carey, of Preston Hill, Stamullen, Co Meath, from using as an aerodrome or airstrip any part of a neighbouring 32-acre holding owned by housing development company Alcove Ireland Eight Ltd.

Alcove claimed Mr Carey had carried out earthworks on the property and put out Facebook posts referring to his grass runway in Stamullen. He also posted a video showing a “touch and go” landing by a small plane on its land, Alcove said.

Alcove director Raymond Reilly said in a sworn statement that it was part of a series of interferences over the last three years with the property, which Alcove has leased out to another farmer for grazing since 2012.

Mr Reilly said the actions by Mr Carey had included breaking down fences, allowing livestock to get on to its land, and setting up beehives on part of it.

This month, a container and 15 bales of silage were brought onto the field and electric fences cut, he said.

Among his Facebook posts, Mr Carey referred to “33 acres illegally defrauded from my late biological grandmother”.

Alcove is also seeking orders that he remove all material from the lands and stop his alleged trespassing.

The application was brought on a one-side only represented basis.

Ms Justice Reynolds said she was satisfied to grant the order restraining the operation of the lands as a runway. The case returns next week.

Video showed a ‘touch and go’ landing by a small plane