A 20 year fight to get a public footpath extended in Kilcummin was brought before a Killarney Municipal District meeting on Wednesday.

Both John O’Donoghue and Martin Grady sought updates on the footpath from Kilcummin Village to Páirc Chuimin.

“This has dragged on for years now which is unacceptable for the residents of the estate,” Cllr O’Donoghue told the meeting.

A Kerry County Council official replied: “The provision of a public footpath between Páirc Chuimín and Kilcummin Village needs to go through the following phases, the acquisition of land, statutory approval and funding stream. Kerry County Council has prepared a preliminary design and will engage with the relevant landowners a view to acquire the land by agreement.”

Grady was not happy with the response give that the issue is on-going for nearly 20 years – since around the same time the estate was built.

“Residents of Páirc Chuimín, Kilcummin are taking their lives in their hands going to school, the shop and Church,” he told the meeting.

“Infrastructure should be put in place first, such as footpaths and public lighting before a block is put to foundation it should be a stipulation in the planning. It’s not the only place with this issue, Barraduff and Madam’s Hill has the same issue. Residents safety must come first.”