How to keep people out of fenced land

Conmaicne Mara

Bear with me, cos I'm annoyed over this.

There is a part of my family's land which has a modern landmark on it. It is of no cultural or heritage value what so ever.

Piddling around with facebook earlier I came across a photo with a number of locals in it at that landmark. I remember seeing them, from a distance, tramping across the rest of the land a couple of years back.

Now, it's fenced private land which isn't beside a road, you have to walk a few hundred yards to even get to it. We're not talking unfenced open commonage with a road running through it.

I don't believe they have any right to be there. I know they didn't do any harm, but they also didn't ask permission to go there. They own dogs and didn't bring them on that occasion, but we have had neighbours with dogs there before.

There is also the question of biosecurity, stock disturbance, leaving gates open, and the possibility to dog attack.

I know local self interested "business interests" advised tourists to go there before, because "It is a nice walk".

What's the craic with land in this country, trespassing, private lands etc. ?

notharrypotter

Electrify the fence

have2flushtwice

could you lay a sign that the lands have poison laid and that might keep some of the dog walkers out?

lots of slurry!

whelan1

Lock on gate and trespassers will be prosecuted or electrocuted sign

The_Pretender

Plant thorny hedgerows

Kali_Kalika

I really can't see the harm they did. Sure you forgot about it until you saw the facebook photos. If they came, took their photo and saw the site and left - what's the harm? I'm not being rude I'm just generally not seeing the issue? I lived in a house once that had a stream running through the back, I'd often have walkers who would visit it - no issues. Never had a single drama (and at the time I owned several dogs who could have escaped as they entered) and I was fostering a horse at the time who could have also escaped or been attacked or stolen. Nothing ever happened except handfulls of people would enjoy their walk and the stream. Many brought their own dogs and children - again no disasters. If you really are worried about your land - perhaps put up a sign (or speak to the local person who is directing all there) I too once looked up an old monument - it advised it was on private land and who owned it (described the house) - so before we accessed the land and visited the site - I spoke to the man in the house who said he appreciated me asking - it was no problem and to mind the dog (he didn't care she was off lead despite cows being in the field) and again thanked me for stopping to ask and to enjoy our day. So maybe - speak with who is directing them there and ask him/her to say they can visit but to stop and speak with you for special instructions (ie: no dog today cows are there or whatever your issues or fears are) - then you can suss out who's visiting before they're on and address any issues you feel they might bring. Just ideas

srsly78

Open an interpretive center and start charging admission.

colrow

Make a path to the site, and leave an honesty box for donations etc.

mf240

Its annoying when you see people trespassing on your land, but at the same time they usually don't mean any harm.

Putting up signs will keep most out.

If one of they got trampled to death with a cow or bull, would the farmer be liable?

Thoie

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Bear with me, cos I'm annoyed over this.

There is a part of my family's land which has a modern landmark on it. It is of no cultural or heritage value what so ever.

I'd go with the "private property" signs at the gate, and maybe a throwaway mobile number with it for people to ask permission. The reason for not putting your main mobile up there is to give you a bit of peace and quiet if you're going on holidays/busy/eating dinner - you can happily ignore that number at times.

Pure nosiness here - how do you end up with a landmark on your land? Was it there when you bought it, or did your family build the landmark?

Are there any concerns that by not nipping this in the bud that you're opening up a "right of way" through your land?

john_cappa

mf240 wrote: »

If one of they got trampled to death with a cow or bull, would the farmer be liable?

Yes. Equally if one of them slipped climbing over the gate, in the field, cut their hand on barbed wire etc then the farmers insurance will be liable even if they didnt have permission.

This is the big concern really but the chances of someone getting hurt are slim enough and the chances of them claiming are smaller still.

hugo29

13 ton machine,
couple swings bucket,
landmark gone,
nothing to see anymore
tourists gone

srsly78

A bigger fence? It works in Israel I hear.

Potatoeman

Where did this landmark come from? I presume it was built for a reason.

td5man

I had trouble yesterday with a lad parked in my field gate, f***er wouldnt let me into my field.
Took about 10 mins to get him to move.
He was following the local hunt who were right beside a reseeded field and a field of incalf cows.
It wasnt the hunts fault, but i got several phone calls last night apologising over the incident.

bbam

Firstly I'm curious as he'll to understand what you have that these people feel the need to see??

Secondly there is a serious liability issue. If you don't make serious obvious efforts to keep them out then you may be liable in the event of an accident
If this is an abandoned structure people may fall of it or bits may fall onto them.

Lastly. It's your land. If you want it private you have that right. People need to understand and respect landowners.

Conmaicne Mara

It's unimportant what the landmark is, as I say, it's of no historical, cultural, or heritage value, it's not in those realms at all. I don't wish to identify the land by identifying the landmark that's all.

The are many issues, first and foremost this is privately owned land - it is not a public park nor a recreation ground, it is a place of work containing animals and some risks. They didn't even have the decency to ask, they know full well who owns the land.

There is the issue of biosecurity, I don't know who's elses land they've tramped over nor what they're bringing to this land tramping over it.

There is the issue of dog attack, should they think Fido needs to stretch his legs, and there have been fatalities due to dog attacks there previously.

There is the liability issue.

There is a possibility of gates being left open mixing stock or allowing them onto other lands, eventually roads.

There is the issue of local business making money for themselves by advertising that area as a nice walk - which it is, but it's not theirs to walk, nor direct anyone to.

There is the issue of theft, if anyone was allowed tramp around anywhere who's to say they're not casing a place looking to steal stock or other items.

There's no shortage of issues, just a shortage of respect for farmers lands which aren't a public resource.

mikeoh

Saw a great sign once it said. " it takes 60 seconds for you to run accross this field.....the bull can do it in 20!!!!"

Potatoeman

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

It's unimportant what the landmark is, as I say, it's of no historical, cultural, or heritage value, it's not in those realms at all. I don't wish to identify the land by identifying the landmark that's all.

The are many issues, first and foremost this is privately owned land - it is not a public park nor a recreation ground, it is a place of work containing animals and some risks. They didn't even have the decency to ask, they know full well who owns the land.

There is the issue of biosecurity, I don't know who's elses land they've tramped over nor what they're bringing to this land tramping over it.

There is the issue of dog attack, should they think Fido needs to stretch his legs, and there have been fatalities due to dog attacks there previously.

There is the liability issue.

There is a possibility of gates being left open mixing stock or allowing them onto other lands, eventually roads.

There is the issue of local business making money for themselves by advertising that area as a nice walk - which it is, but it's not theirs to walk, nor direct anyone to.

There is the issue of theft, if anyone was allowed tramp around anywhere who's to say they're not casing a place looking to steal stock or other items.

There's no shortage of issues, just a shortage of respect for farmers lands which aren't a public resource.

Just take it down. I dont know why you put it up in the first place. If its being advertised as a local landmark you will have people come to look at it.

Conmaicne Mara

Potatoeman wrote: »

Just take it down. I dont know why you put it up in the first place. If its being advertised as a local landmark you will have people come to look at it.

Regardless of who owns the land, it's not within the landowners power to take it down or alter it in any way.

Potatoeman

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Regardless of who owns the land, it's not within the landowners power to take it down or alter it in any way.

Put up signs if you want to keep people out but you might want to consider talking to people advertising it as a landmark.

endacl

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Regardless of who owns the land, it's not within the landowners power to take it down or alter it in any way.

Is this 'landmark' something that could be used as your sh1testore? Nothing environmentally damaging, of course. Old bits of machinery, feed sacks, bits of timber and galvanized sheeting etc? Maybe fence the whole lot in. Bury it in harmless but unsightly cr4p that you'd otherwise have to keep elsewhere.

Plus the signs and electric fences. If you make it a not-nice walk, it won't be advertised as a nice walk. TBH though, it's the local businesses you really have an issue with. If somebody is told to take a stroll up towards this landmark, it'd be natural for them to presume that there are permissions. I'd go in and eat the head off them. Let them know it's not ok.

Sharpshooter82

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Regardless of who owns the land, it's not within the landowners power to take it down or alter it in any way.

yeah sure youll get heavily fined for destroying a ring fort on your land

endacl

Sharpshooter82 wrote: »

yeah sure youll get heavily fined for destroying a ring fort on your land

And rightly so! This doesn't sound like a heritage site though. I Must admit OP, I'm intrigued... Pm me! I won't tell!

12 element

Sharpshooter82 wrote: »

yeah sure youll get heavily fined for destroying a ring fort on your land

Rightly so.

Potatoeman

Sharpshooter82 wrote: »

yeah sure youll get heavily fined for destroying a ring fort on your land

I thought they said it was modern?

hugo29

endacl wrote: »

And rightly so! This doesn't sound like a heritage site though. I Must admit OP, I'm intrigued... Pm me! I won't tell!

fairies will come calling

hugo29

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Regardless of who owns the land, it's not within the landowners power to take it down or alter it in any way.

there does be some bad storms in conemara

listermint

Hmm ??

DIESEL TOM

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Bear with me, cos I'm annoyed over this.

There is a part of my family's land which has a modern landmark on it.

wind turbines ?.

Bizzum

Even it's a scarecrow out in the man's land, he shouldn't have to put up with Joe public wading in for a look, for all the reasons he posted.
Is there multiple entry points or just the one? Adequate signage, and secure fencing I suppose would be my first point of call.

yellow50HX

td5man wrote: »

I had trouble yesterday with a lad parked in my field gate, f***er wouldnt let me into my field.
Took about 10 mins to get him to move.
He was following the local hunt who were right beside a reseeded field and a field of incalf cows.
It wasnt the hunts fault, but i got several phone calls last night apologising over the incident.

Drop the loader and push him up on the ditch. Has a similar issue a few years back. Was trying to get a bale into the field but wasn't allowed into my field as some one had opened the gate and parked their jeep in there. Asked him to move but they were less then helpful as he wanted to be able to see the hunt from the comfort of the cab without the ditches in the way. Told him I had a chain with me and would have no problem towing any trepresser off my land and down the road. He was still staying put until I pulled out the chain and hooked up. Thrust me a Palermo on wet grass hasn't a hope against a digger on the road grip wise. Similarly the local hunt were very embarrassed and apologetic.

Thoie

yellow50HX wrote: »

Drop the loader and push him up on the ditch. Has a similar issue a few years back. Was trying to get a bale into the field but wasn't allowed into my field as some one had opened the gate and parked their jeep in there. Asked him to move but they were less then helpful as he wanted to be able to see the hunt from the comfort of the cab without the ditches in the way. Told him I had a chain with me and would have no problem towing any trepresser off my land and down the road. He was still staying put until I pulled out the chain and hooked up. Thrust me a Palermo on wet grass hasn't a hope against a digger on the road grip wise. Similarly the local hunt were very embarrassed and apologetic.

Bloody hell - I hope you took his reg and reported him to the gardaí for trespass as well.

yellow50HX

listermint wrote: »

Hmm ??

I was thinking the same but didn't want to suggest as it's none of my business.

Is this thing on your land or is it owned by some one else and your land surrounds its.

yellow50HX

Thoie wrote: »

Bloody hell - I hope you took his reg and reported him to the gardaí for trespass as well.

Nope but I know some of the lads on the hunt and he has been a bit of a thorn in their side before. They have warned him a few times. Last time I heard he was only allowed to go with other people to stop him entering places.

nibtrix

listermint wrote: »

Hmm ??

I believe that's on commonage, not private land. It's certainly not fenced in.

td5man

yellow50HX wrote: »

Nope but I know some of the lads on the hunt and he has been a bit of a thorn in their side before. They have warned him a few times. Last time I heard he was only allowed to go with other people to stop him entering places.

I got a look of distain from an impeccably dressed gentleman, with an arse the width of the road (poor horse) for daring to stand in my own field.
The lads on the hunt are grand, its just the a**eholes that follow them that are the problem.
There are a couple of local businessmen that claim to have been around horses all their lives, my dad said they used to go to school in a donkey and cart. :rolleyes: And from what I hear they could be using one again shortly.

td5man

listermint wrote: »

Hmm ??

That would make a good above ground slurry store.

Rho b

Get a few Occupiers Liability Signs and put them on gateways/lane leading to the landmark.
It will not stop them but will help to cover your arse in case of a claim.

I don't know how to insert a copy of the sign on boards

Oh, and take photographs of them in place.

tabby aspreme

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

It's unimportant what the landmark is, as I say, it's of no historical, cultural, or heritage value, it's not in those realms at all. I don't wish to identify the land by identifying the landmark that's all.

Id say its the holy stone of Clonrichert that was upgraded to a class 2 Relic on Father Ted:D

DMAXMAN

I may be wrong but the duty of care to trespassers is very limited. when the law changed I think it left the landowner that they were safe if they did not intentionally set out to harm anyone