A Ke r ry farmer and former world champion mountain runner said he is committed to keeping a popular walkway open to the public despite a series of thefts from his lands.

John Lenihan lives in the parish of Ballymacelligott close to the Stacks Mountains where he farms suckler cattle.

The Glanageenty looped walkway, which attracts thousands of people annually, is incorporated into part of his farm.

Thefts

The farmer told Agriland that he has unfortunately been the target of a number of thefts over the years, with the most recent incident involving electric fencing worth around €1,000 being taken.

Last Sunday morning (June 1), John went to an out farm to check his cattle and move them to fresh grazing.

“I arrived and found in the first field I went to that the fence was gone. I thought that was bad enough but then when I went to the second part of the farm I discovered that was gone also and likewise the third fence.

“So there were three fences taken either Friday or Saturday night,” he said.

Due to the nature of the terrain on John’s farm, he has to invest in one of the strongest types of electric fencing on the market to ensure his animals are secured.

The farmer said the theft of the fences posed a danger to the public as the cattle could have ended up straying onto the local road.

The model of electric fence which was stolen from the farm

This latest incident follows an expensive mains fence and a car trailer being taken from John’s farmyard in March.

Last year, pet goats which children would interact with while on the walkway were also stolen from the farm.

“You can go back further, we had a generator stolen, we also had electric fences stolen before. We had fencing poles for the walkway stolen. It’s ongoing and it’s frustrating,” John said.

Walkway

Along with being a farmer, Lenihan is a decorated athlete with both national and international titles to his name.

One of the major highlights of his 40 years competing happened in 1991 when he was crowned the world mountain running champion in Switzerland.

The inspiration to develop Glanageenty walkway came from John’s friends who joined him for training over the years.

“It took them to point out the beauty of the area to me. I was born and bred there and I took it for granted.

“When the opportunity came to have a walkway created somewhere in Kerry, I felt that this area had the potential based on the comments from my own friends,” John said.

Glanageenty looped walks in Co. Kerry Source: John Lenihan

The Glanageenty walkway was made possible due to a partnership between Coillte and three local landowners; John Lenihan, Francie Lenihan and the Bernard family.

“We started off in 2008. It has been a work in progress since because it’s growing in popularity and you have to move to incorporate the extra footfall.

“We’ve three loops there; the longest one is 10km and the shortest one is just over 3km so there’s something there for everybody.

“You have a lot of history going back to the Civil War and all of that is incorporated within the loop. I think we’re putting through close to 1,000 people a week there at the moment,” John said.

John Lenihan strongly emphasised that he is not blaming the thefts on the walking community.

“There’s an element of people who can come along and because there’s a walkway there, they have a genuine excuse to be seen walking on my property and they’re using that opportunity to observe what is there,” he said.

“If one was to close the walkway at this stage, you’re giving into the small minority of bad people.

“There’s a lot of genuine people out there who really appreciate Glanageenty walkways and many other walkways around the country.

“We don’t want to leave the small minority of people win here. There’s too many people enjoying these walkways. It’s essential for mental and physical health for a lot of people. We’ll fight tooth and nail to maintain the facility,” John added.

The farmer has reported all of the incidents to local gardaí. In the meantime, he is actively considering options to further increase security on his lands.

Anyone with any information in relation to the thefts is asked to contact Castleisland Garda Station on 066 714 1204, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.

Thefts

Walkway

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