WATCH: 'Three big boards outside Eyeries' sheep farmer has case dismissed

Mary O'Sullivan, an 85-year-old from the Beara Peninsula was granted a dismiss under the Probation Act at Bantry District Court on Thursday.

O'Sullivan, who has been farming since she was six – was in court in relation to her right to graze sheep on the ‘Kilcatherine Commonage’.

She had been charged with allowing her sheep to wander on the roadway at Darrigroe, Eyeries, on March 30th 2018. The charge was brought by Gda Martin Hegarty following a complaint from the accused’s neighbour, Lotte Vox.

Mrs Vox, had claimed the sheep were a danger to motorists travelling on the narrow, winding road, especially during the height of the tourist season. And she spoke of holidaymakers in campervans trying to negotiate the animal obstacles, but couldn’t recall having seen an accident.

Mary O’Sullivan said: ‘I cannot keep my sheep on the farm full-time as they are mountain sheep but I do the best I can to keep them on the hill

The judge had originally suggested three big boards to warn of the sheep.

Judge McNulty said the people are entitled to drive on the road in safety and adjourned the case to this week's hearing, to allow the accused time to erect warning signs.

He said three or four ‘tasteful’ 8ft by 5ft warning signs in corrugated plastic, warning motorists of the possible presence of sheep on the roadway, would be a solution to the problem.

Read the original court case here: https://www.southernstar.ie/news/roundup/articles/2019/03/13/4170750-judge-wants-three-big-boards-outside-eyeries/