Investigation into alleged illegal felling of 30ac of trees and hedgerows

The Department of Agriculture is investigating the alleged illegal removal of 30ac of trees and a network of hedgerows in Cork.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine received a report on 16 July from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of a large-scale reclamation of private land in Rathcoole, Co Cork, a Department spokesperson said.

“The overall site is approximately 30 acres in size and involved the alleged removal of a network of hedgerows and the resultant merging of smaller fields into larger ones, along with the removal of a number of trees from within the hedgerows.

“Necessary site visits have all been completed and the investigation is ongoing,” the spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.

A person who illegally damages or fells a tree can be fined up to €200 for every tree or up to a total maximum of €5,000 on summary conviction. For cases tried in the higher courts, on conviction on indictment, a fine of up to €1m or imprisonment for a term, not exceeding five years, can be imposed.

‘Wilful destruction’

Former Minister of State with responsibility for nature and current Green Party senator Malcolm Noonan called for a thorough investigation led by the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s wildlife crime directorate and gardai into the matter.

"What has reported to have happened in Cork is truly shocking. This is an act of wilful destruction that wiped out centuries-old natural habitats and irreplaceable biodiversity for local wildlife.

“This incident also seems to have been seriously contravened the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations, with no record of a felling license or exemptions applied for."

The party also warned the incident poses serious risks to local water quality and wildlife, with the site of the destruction approximately one kilometre upslope of the Blackwater River and on a steep slope which drains down to a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).