Hill farmers afraid to visit lands at weekend due to threat from walkers
Fears are growing of possible violent confrontations with dog owners, hillwalkers and other recreational users at weekends amid calls for a full ban on dogs in upland farming areas
INHFA vice president John Joe Fitzgerald on his mountain sheep farm in West Kerry. Photo: Domnick Walsh
Farmers in upland areas are said to be afraid to visit their land at weekends for fear of confrontation with dog owners.
A new survey of farmers working our upland areas found that a quarter now feel threatened by the increased numbers of recreational users of their land.
