Feature documentary on Kildare farmer's battle with the IDA to premiere at Dublin Film Festival

A new feature documentary on the battle between Kildare farmer Thomas Reid and the Irish Development Authority (IDA) is set to premiere at the Audi Dublin International Film Festival next weekend.

The festival, which takes place at the Light House Cinema, showcases some of the best new Irish films to local and international audiences. 'The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid' will be on screen next Saturday evening, detailing the Leixlip man's battle through the courts as the IDA sought a Compulsory Purchase Order in 2015.

Mr Reid had to go to the Supreme Court after the High Court had initially allowed the IDA to compulsorily acquire his land. Mr Reid has lived on the land all his life and refused to leave despite the High Court's decision, and the Supreme Court overturned the ruling in 2015.

Mr Reid had stated following the Supreme Court case victory that a number of politicians had been quietly involved in removing him from his land, and remarked that it was a 'good day' for Ireland when the court voted in his favour.

The new documentary, directed by Feargal Ward, will detail his battle.

Ward said; “It’s great to have the opportunity to bring this film to IDFA and to introduce Thomas Reid’s story to a wider audience. The subject matter at the centre of this film - the extent to which the State will go to facilitate the interests of global corporations -  is both an important issue of our time and of this country; and one I was instantly drawn to explore.