The Irish Farmers' Association has condemned the assault of a farmer in Wicklow after he told walkers that dogs weren't allowed on the route because of attacks on sheep.
Pat Dunne was attacked in the Glenmalure Valley on Sunday, and the Dunne family has since made the decision to close public access to the route with immediate effect.
The IFA says this was an isolated incident, but "it does nothing to further co-operation between landowners and recreational users."
It adds that this was a "disgraceful attack on a landowner who was one of the first in the country to allow an agreed access route across his lands over fifteen years ago."
Mountaineering Ireland says it hopes "hillwalkers and climbers will show their support for Pat Dunne and his family by respecting this closure."
Speaking about the closure Pat Dunne said:
"I want it known that for years we have permitted open access to Lugnaquilla via the Zig Zags. The track and open mountain lands immediately above are private property."
"The only request in return for open access to our land was that no dogs were brought onto the mountain due to the disturbance they can cause to livestock."
"It is not an unreasonable request as we have had many instances of sheep being mauled by dogs on the mountain."
