Campaigners from the Save Castletown Committee are advocating for the reinstatement of access to the state-owned heritage property and its grounds.
On Monday, the High Court will be asked to order the reopening of gates installed at a contested entrance to Castletown House, where a dispute over public access has persisted for more than 18 months.
Campaigners from the Save Castletown Committee are advocating for the reinstatement of access to the state-owned heritage property and its grounds.
Kfm understands that they will request that the court allow the gates to remain open during daylight hours as a temporary measure until the case can be fully heard.
The dispute began when privately owned land beside Castletown House in Celbridge - previously used for public access - was sold, and the new owner installed a gate on the route known as Gay’s Avenue after talks with the OPW broke down.
The OPW suggested using Lime Avenue instead, but locals objected, saying the pedestrian path was unsafe for vehicles and would increase traffic on the already busy Main Street.
It's understood that in the application to the High Court, the group is requesting that the Court recognise the development in question as unauthorised under national planning regulations, citing the route’s long-standing and habitual use by the public.
The application to the court comes as OPW Minister Kevin Boxer Moran plans to meet a number of groups on the ground on Monday to discuss possible resolutions.
The Save Castletown Committee has notified the landowners about the High Court application scheduled for Monday.
The committee will argue that planning permission was required before the gates were installed.
It will also claim that Gay’s Avenue has been used by the public for at least 10 years, which should trigger legal protections.
While it acknowledges that resolving the matter and allowing the landowners time to respond will take time, the committee will request an interim order to allow public access from 8am to 9pm during the summer.
The land is owned by several property companies linked to the local McKenna family.
Kfm has contacted the developer for comment.
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