A proposed cycle greenway in south Kerry can go ahead after the Supreme Court refused to allow two appeals against it to proceed.
An Bord Pleanála had granted permission for the development, which was appealed to the High Court by environmental activist, Peter Sweetman and landowner, James Clifford and by a group of local landowners.
The High Court upheld the permission and dismissed the appeals. The objectors then sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court under planning legislation.
This allows for an appeal on a point of law of exceptional public importance or in the public interest.
In two determinations issued this morning, the Supreme Court refused to grant leave to appeal.
The court said Mr Clifford and Mr Sweetman had failed to identify a legal point upon which the Supreme Court could rule. It said they had also not submitted that the actions of Kerry County Council or An Bord Pleanála were wrong in law.
In the second appeal taken by local landowners and the Greenway Information Group in relation to land compulsorily purchased for the project by Kerry County Council, the Supreme Court ruled that no matters of general public importance had been disclosed.
In both cases the court ruled no matter of general public importance or exceptional circumstances had been shown to arise and it refused to allow the appeals to be heard in the Supreme Court.
The decision has been welcomed by local representatives and by Kerry County Council who described the greenway as an "enormously important amenity" for the county.
Kerry TD Brendan Griffin said the decision is "massively positive news for Kerry people, businesses and communities."
"The greenway will be absolutely transformational, not only for the South Kerry region but for the county as a whole," Mr Griffin said.
"We have seen the success of greenway projects across Ireland, and the economic, social and tourism benefits they bring to local businesses, towns and villages. This project will breathe new life into communities along the route, and this is due, in large part, to the hard work, time and effort of many local people and groups.
