After his application was turned down by the local authorities, Denis Donohue from Ballylinan appealed to An Bord Pleanala. Last week, it ruled that it would not be granting him planning permission to be buried under an ash tree on his 75 acres of land.

"I'm very disappointed with the decision, " Donohue told the Sunday Tribune. "The land has been in my family for three generations and I've worked on it all my life. The spot I had thought of would be a lovely resting place. It's under an old tree up on a height that overlooks the farmyard. It seemed like a nice idea."

Donohue first realised there would be a problem being buried on his land when he consulted his solicitor about making a will. Although his family have a graveyard plot in Ballylinan graveyard, he decided a few years ago he did not wish to be buried there.

The decision to refuse him was made on the grounds that it would set a precedent and be prejudicial to public health.

However, Donohue has said he hopes to take the fight further. "In five years time, I'm allowed to re-apply and the council has indicated there may be other places on the land that are suitable, " he said.

"I'm not giving up on this yet because I don't plan on dying anytime soon."