Environmentalists invite Trump to court over sand trap fencing at Doonbeg golf course

Former US President Donald Trump has been invited to attend a High Court case over sand trap fencing at his resort at Doonbeg in Co Clare.

The invitation was made to Mr Trump, who is currently on a trip to his properties in Scotland and Ireland, by Irish Environmental protection group, Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE).

FIE has brought proceedings against sand trap fencing allegedly constructed by the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in West Clare during 2022.

While the controversial former President arrives in Ireland on Wednesday for a short visit to Doonbey, FIE has urged him “to stay on in Ireland until May 15th”, when case is due before the Irish High Court. In its action FIE claims that the defendants constructed a fence at the base of the dunes made of large wooden pallets set deeply into the ground side by side with a fine nylon mesh stretched across them. The new fencing was removed after Clare County Council issued a Warning Letter and the environmental charity brought a case under Section 160 of the Planning Acts over unauthorised development.

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However, FIE says a network of these fences remains along the top of the dunes, which they want the court to make orders for their removal. FIE’s Director Tony Lowes said the group has written to Donald Trump, in a letter sent to the resort at Doonbeg suggesting that he stay on in Ireland and attend the hearing in Dublin’s Four Courts

Mr Lowes claims that the hearing ‘would be an opportunity for you to learn about the concerns of environmental groups and the importance of conservation’.

Preparations were underway and security increased on Tuesday at Trump International Golf Links and Hotel just outside the town of Doonbeg in Co Clare, although staff remained tight-lipped about the proposed visit.

He last visited the 400-acre resort, which he bought in 2014, while president in 2019.

Mr Trump, accompanied by his son Eric, has spent the last two days in Scotland, breaking ground on a new golf course at his Menie Estate near Aberdeen before playing a round at his Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire.

During his time in Scotland he gave an interview with Nigel Farage which will be broadcast on GB News at 7pm on Wednesday.

[ Trump’s loss-making Doonbeg golf resort ‘fantastic’ contributor to community, say locals ]

Bob Rogers, from Doonbeg Community Development, said the visit is widely welcomed in the town.

“Love him or hate him, he brings a show,” Mr Rogers said.

The trip is Mr Trump’s first abroad since he became the first former US president to face criminal charges.

No travel conditions were placed on him after he pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business record in New York in April.

The visit coincides with the second week of a civil trial in Manhattan over accusations, denied by Mr Trump, he raped former magazine columnist E Jean Carroll in a department store dressing room in 1996.

Mr Biden visited Ireland as part of the celebrations to mark 25 years of the Good Friday agreement before retracing his Irish roots in Co Louth and Co Mayo in March. –PA