NAAS, 26 July: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. Naas UDC is examining legal methods to deal with a problem over the blocking of a footpath on the Craddockstown Road, where a landowner has extended her garden.
The garden was extended last week by post and rail fencing, a new seeded grass area and young trees, and 'private property' signs.
The house is owned by Tom and Helen Maguire but Mr Maguire said any enquiries about the extended site must be made to his wife. Mrs Maguire declined to contact KNN on the matter.
The move seriously inconveniences residents of the nearby Craddockstown House Nursing Home who often take their elderly relatives out for a walk and office manager Mary Ryan says many visitors take their relatives out for a walk or to visit nearby Ballycane Church.
“This will certainly affect them as it means they would have to go out onto the narrow road,” she said, adding that many of the staff there also use the path to walk to and from work.
Local mother Sharon Crowe walks the road on a regular basis, and says regular walkers in the area now face danger. “At least 30 people walk here every day. I allowed four of my children up this road because it was so safe. Now I won’t be able to do that.”
A friend, Mary Moore, pointed out that people now have to walk out onto the road opposite a building site with lorries going in and out.
The footpath was built by local developer John O’Connell as part of the planning permission for his nearby housing development.
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