Main pic: The wood which has recently been cleared at the rear of the Aurivo plant, Crossroads, Killygordon. Pic: North West NewsPix.
The Department of Agriculture said it is taking ‘appropriate action’ in relation to the alleged illegal felling of a century-old wood in east Donegal.
The large-scale clearing of mostly native broadleaf trees has been ongoing at Crossroads, Killygordon, for a number of weeks.
The department confirmed that it is aware of the ‘ongoing’ operation.
“Information was received by the Department in relation to ongoing felling at Avaltygort, Crossroads, Killygordon, County Donegal,” a spokesperson told Donegal Daily.
“There are no valid tree felling licences for the area. The Department is taking appropriate action.”
It is understood that a forestry inspector has been assigned to investigate the issue, however, cutting continued over the weekend.
Locals have expressed concern for some time at the destruction of the area known locally as ‘The Island’.
The wood, which covered over two acres, the majority of which consists of native century-old broadleafs, is situated at the rear of the Aurivo Donegal Creameries milk plant. It has been speculated that the woodland was purchased by Aurivo for redevelopment. However, the land remains registered in the name of a deceased local person. Aurivo was asked for a comment.
One person, who did not wish to be named, said the wood had been used for generations of local children as a play area. There were also hopes that it would become a public recreation space with paths and benches.
“It was a wonderful, safe and beautiful place full of trees and paths that has been used by generations of local children,” they said.
“We had also hoped that it would be used by future generations and developed with paths and picnic areas for locals and visitors. However, it has been destroyed, which is very sad to see.”
Another local said the trees acted as a screen to hide the industrial plant from the view of those approving the village from the Castlefin side.
“Since most of the trees have been cut, the plant is now in plain sight when you are approaching The Cross from Castlefin,” they said.
Memories of ‘The Island’ were fondly recalled by local man and former GAA star, Donal Reid, in his 2016 autobiography ‘Confessions of a Gaelic Footballer’.
“It is not actually an island, but we had imaginations and were allowed to be children,” he wrote.
“We swung from trees and played Tarzan… Life for youngsters was so different 50 or so years ago. We had to use our initiatives to amuse ourselves.”
Anyone with concerns over the alleged illegal felling of trees should complete the following at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7d8af-form-to-report-alleged-illegal-tree-felling/
Alternatively, you can email allegedillegalfelling@agriculture.gov.ie or contact the Department of Agriculture felling service on 053 916 3425.
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