Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 2926Land designation (civil – conservation status, damages claim) · Co. Donegal

Supreme Court refuses appeal over €1.5m conservation land claim in Donegal

Harry McHugh's direct appeal to the Supreme Court was refused after the High Court struck out his 2008 claim for €1.5 million in losses allegedly caused by the designation of part of his land at Cashelgoan, Port Noo, Co Donegal, as a candidate Special Area of Conservation. The Supreme Court found the case involved well-established principles of locus standi and time limits that were case-specific and not of general public importance.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHarry McHugh claimed he suffered losses of €1.5 million due to the alleged illegal designation of part of his land as a candidate Special Area of Conservation. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe land was part of a vast area known as west of Ardara/Maas Road designated to protect habitat, animal and plant species. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHis application for afforestation of 28.73 hectares was refused because it would adversely alter or detrimentally damage the cSAC area. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe land is at Cashelgoan, Port Noo, Co Donegal. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenPart of the land was designated cSAC in 1997. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenIn 2003, Harry McHugh received notification that cSAC boundaries were to be changed. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenHarry McHugh brought High Court proceedings in 2008 claiming €1.5 million in losses. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice David Nolan struck out the case in April 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge also found the case had been brought outside the time limits for litigation, or statute barred. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA three-judge panel of the Supreme Court refused the direct appeal in a written determination. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Supreme Court said the matters were case-specific and not of general public importance. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Nov2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Supreme Court refuses appeal over claim conservation status of man’s land lost him €1.5m

    Supreme Court (three-judge panel) refuses Harry McHugh's direct appeal after Mr Justice David Nolan struck out his 2008 High Court claim in April 2024, ruling he lacked legal standing and the case was statute barred.

    victim, Harry McHugh, male, irish (judged from name)Harry McHugh