Works remain ongoing to clear fallen trees at Mote Park
As the fallout continues from the impact of Storm Éowyn, Coillte has confirmed that works remain ongoing to clear fallen trees in Mote Park.
Destruction to the amenity on the outskirts of Roscommon town was vast, the clearance operation taking time to reach its conclusion.
In a statement issued to the Westmeath Independent, Coillte, Ireland’s semi-state forestry company, noted that staff were working hard to clear fallen trees in Mote Park.
"Storm Éowyn caused extensive damage to Mote Park. Our staff are working hard to clear fallen trees. This clearance operation will take time and we are asking the public to bear with us.
"Safety is our absolute priority. Hazards arising from storm damage may not be visible.
"We are asking members of the public not to enter sections of the forest where there is clear storm damage or where there are clearance operations underway," the statement detailed.
Speaking in the Dáil, following the completion by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Coillte, of an initial satellite assessment of damage to Irish forests from Storms Darragh and Eowyn, estimating that the total area blown down will be in the region of 23,652 hectares, Minister of State, Michael Healy Rae, stated that a more detailed analysis was underway to provide a forest-by-forest assessment with a much greater degree of accuracy.
“We have organisations around the table representing forest owner groups, Coillte, sawmillers, forestry companies, IFA, Teagasc and my department.
"Having more than twice the annual cut on the ground represents an enormous challenge, but I have been impressed with the energy and commitment around the table to tackle every issue that this challenge presents.
"I would also like to repeat what I have said on numerous occasions – this is a very difficult time for forest owners, but they can be absolutely assured that they are, and will continue to be, at the centre of all of our deliberations going forward," the Minister said.