Waterford Council is facing an as-yet unquantifiable bill after what An Bord Pleanála ruled was significant destruction in parts of the Comeragh Mountains.
The Council denies there has been a waste of public money.
The Comeragh Mountains in Waterford are some of the most scenic locations in Munster and a part of it is designated a Special Area of Conservation.
Over the past few years, the Comeragh Community Development Group helped organise a walkway through Crow Woods, and due to its popularity, aimed to extend it up to Mahon Falls.
Waterford Council gave €30,000 to purchase land for the walkway and €70,000 to help build the final phase of it.
The council says it was not clear planning permission was required but An Bord Pleanála has now ruled that some work carried out did need planning permission and some of the work has led to significant destruction of habitat.
The community group involved says it will work to ensure the development meets all required legislation.
The Department of Heritage, the Parks and Wildlife Service and the European Commission have been made aware of the case and a plan is being made to restore or reverse some of the work done.
