DUBLIN, Ireland: U.S. President Donald Trump's resort at Doonbeg in west Clare hit another roadblock when an environmental group claimed the resort could not be granted planning permission for a new ballroom until it met the conditions set in April 2000 to protect the habitat of a rare species of snail.

The Friends of the Irish Environment had challenged the original plans to create a golf course at Doonbeg in west Clare over 25 years ago.

The environmental group now claims the "terminal decline" of the protected snail species, Vertigo angustior, threatens the plans for the proposed ballroom at the golf resort.

The FIE stated that the original case contained an order which ensured any future development would be "bound by the objective of maintaining favourable conservation status" of the rare snail.

FIE director Tony Lowes claimed the Trump family appeared to regard a court order as "nothing but a piece of paper."

The claim was made after TIGL Ireland Enterprises recently applied to Clare County Council for permission to build a ballroom at the Doonbeg resort that could hold up to 320 guests.

The company, which runs the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel, said the proposed ballroom would not affect Vertigo angustior, a rare snail protected under the EU Habitats Directive. A report by consultants for the resort said no additional measures were needed to protect the species.

However, the report also acknowledged that the snail's conservation status at Doonbeg remains poor and that the species has been in decline there since 2019. It noted a sharp drop in the number of snail shells, from 133 found at 50 locations on the golf course in 2024 to 51 last year.

Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) said a High Court order from April 2000 includes an agreement requiring any development at Doonbeg to maintain a favourable conservation status for the snail. The agreement involved several government ministers and the Attorney General.

FIE's Tony Lowes said the developer is required to ensure that the snail's conservation status is "maintained or improved," as set out in the original planning permission for the golf course and confirmed by a later management agreement in 2004.

The company said the new ballroom is needed because the existing marquee no longer meets modern standards for efficiency, environmental performance, guest experience, or long-term use.

It added that the ballroom would help attract visitors during the off-season and support business tourism, weddings, and conferences, extending the tourism season and broadening the resort's appeal beyond golf.