Ballyclough Demesne, Askeaton, Co. Limerick
Ballyclough was the only old growth wood in the area. It was to be surveyed as the most important epi-centre of SACs in the Limerick region. It was the single most important genetic reservoir of seed stock to serve the whole area’s biodiversity.
As the community awakens to the importance and relevance of replanting native woodlands, they will realise that they have lost an extremely valuable resource. Unfortunately, this has been happening far too regularly and must stop (another example: with the landslides in Derrybrien, three SACs were lost).
Ballyclough consisted of 70 acres of Wild Cherry, Oak, Birch, Ash and Hazel, and was home to the Red Squirrel and numerous Bat species (Bat’s are supposed to be the most protected species in Europe). It is well known international fact that stability in life is conferred by natural native woodlands, via the management of water, soil, air, etc.
On Friday, April the 30th 2004, the Forest Service was alerted to the threat to this grubbed mature semi-natural woodland. Lists of rare and protected species of flora and fauna were delivered to Limerick County Council, the heritage officer for Limerick, the chief archaeologist, the Chief Forester based at St. Munchins, Limerick, the Wildlife Ranger for West Limerick and the National Parks and the Wildlife Service HQ in Kilkenny - all during the days following the 30th of April. All failed to act to protect this woodland.
The Garda Sìochàna were informed of the illegal activities being carried out on the site of the woodland, but also failed to act to uphold the laws of this country.
Ballyclough was bull-dozed and all of its timber (i.e. the evidence) was burned on site. No local people were even given the chance to use it as fire wood. The timber was burning from February the 7th 2005 (it is interesting to note that the Askeaton region has the highest level of asthma sufferers in the country, and the smoke from the fires can only have aggravated that). The EPA were alerted about the smog from the illegal fires, but stated that they did not have the personnel to investigate. Fire Engines entered Ballyclough Wood in early August 2005 to extinguish the fires.
There was no felling license issued, no burning license issued and no EIS was undertaken, and it would appear that the environment (namely the native woodlands) has no value to the state, despite the 1946 Forestry Act which states that “any tree over 10 years, not near a homestead, is protected by law”, and not to mention the Wildlife Act 1976, the Rio Agreement 1992, Helsinki 1998, Kyoto and Lisbon!
Notwithstanding the health and safety concerns for the community, a number of PSACs (adjoining Ballyclough Demesne) have been irreparably damaged by the fires and the illegal felling.
Following from Rio, in 1993 the convention on biological diversity (and our state is a signatory) concluded that there is no more valuable habitat for sustaining biodiversity than native woodlands. They are the lynchpin for sustainable development.
At present there is no Garda Environmental Law education. There is no brief in a single environmental provision. It is very difficult for a member of the public to invoke a Section 4 from the 1946 Forest Act to prevent illegal felling. Since 1922, environmental protection is the poor cousin of the Irish cultural interest, and it is getting poorer.
- Taken from Documents written by Ted Cook
