Pierce Brosnan e-mails support for Athlumney campaign

Pierce Brosnan has officially rowed in behind the campaign to stop the removal of the wall and 22 trees near the 15th century Athlumney Castle.

The James Bond actor, who is a freeman of Navan, says he has thrown his "hat in the ring and signed up in protest and offered a small subscription to the cause".

In an e-mail to Cllr Wayne Forde he said he would love to hear more of what is being done in the area.

He said he was "hearing from my dear cousin, Donal Reilly and many more who know I'm a Navan man that they want to take down the wall from St Michaels...

"That would be a terrible assault for sure, one the landscape.

"The railway, wall, the castle and the railway bridge, the cemeteries on both (sic), with their stiles are very much part of my childhood memories."

The Holywood star recalled he had been back in Navan three years ago with his wife, Keely, showing her his homestead of Boyne Crest.

"I'm not sure what help I can be from the beach at Malibu but feel free Wayne to reach out and have a chat about it all," he said.

Cllr Forde was delighted with the correspondence and thanked Margaret Tierney and Donal Reilly for getting Pierce Brosnan to contact him.

"Pierce Brosnan is a very proud Navan and Meath man.

"Thanks so much Pierce Brosnan. We are all very proud of you and we all love you. Pierce Brosnan _ a true gentleman.

"He wants me to ring him at least once a month and when he comes back to Ireland, Pierce wants to meet me. I'm just gobsmacked," he said.