"It's like Chernobyl" - Mayo town opposed to forestry project

A North Mayo town has seen tensions rising high in a dispute with Coillte.

A 13 hectare area of land in Ballycastle has been earmarked for a forestation measure by Coillte.

But locals are not happy about it and they are voicing their opposition in a town hall meeting this Wednesday evening:

"The main reason we're objecting to it is, the site is right in the middle of the parish, next to the GAA pitch. It's surrounded by a river on two sides, and the other two sides is connected to the football pitch," says Ballycastle native Michéal McDonnell, speaking to The Mayo News.

"For the farms beside the planting site, you'll have the risk of foxes who threaten lambs, and deer and badger for risks of Tuberculosis."

READ: SEIZED! Mayo Gardaí stop car: Crazy vice-grip brake, no tax and more

McDonnell also mentions concerns about fire risks and possible drainage issues by non-native pine trees.

And then there would be potential issues once the timber is harvested: "If you go back to other Coillte forestry sites, some of it has been harvested now, and it's like Chernobyl. It's like something out of a bomb site.”

A previous little plantation of about two to three rows of trees next to the GAA pitch caused problems.

They had to be cut down, according to McDonnell, because the pitch was getting no light, and the grass was just pure moss, he stated. 

Regarding the appeal process, McDonnell points out that objections were raised along the planning process but weren't heeded.

Senator Mark Duffy: "Flies in the face of the community"

Mayo Senator Mark Duffy from Ballina raised the issue in the Seanad on Tuesday evening. The Fine Gael politician has called on Coillte to 'stop and engage'.

He stressed that "it is really important that we listen to communities. Communities like Ballycastle on the western seaboard and the Wild Atlantic Way have been decimated by depopulation.

"But they have very gracefully welcomed international protection applicants within the community and are trying to lead the regeneration of buildings and make them better places for emigrants to return to."

Senator Duffy criticised Coillte for the specific plans in Ballycastle: "Measures like this fly in the face of a community that is trying to lead strong regeneration."

Coillte statement: "New forest is fully compatible"

Coillte explained in a statement, that the organisation understands the importance of community engagement in land use decisions.

"In the case of the afforestation project at Ballycastle, Coillte and its contractors followed the afforestation licence process as set out by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). This is a rigorous process with multiple stages of public consultation for people to share their views."

Coillte maintains, that due process was followed: "The licence application process included a detailed environmental assessment to ensure the establishment of the new forest is fully compatible with locally important wildlife and habitats. A final determination was made by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) to uphold the afforestation licence, granted by the Department of Agriculture."

Regarding the planned trees for the site, Coillte elaborates, that the area covering 12.7 hectares will see "a mixture of productive conifer trees and native tree species, is part of Coillte’s commitment to sustainable forestry and climate action."

Department of Agriculture not objective?

The involvement of the Department of Agriculture seems to be part of the problem, according to the parties opposed to the new forest in Ballycastle.

Senator Duffy said: "The key issue, which can affect many communities across Ireland, is that Coillte makes the application to the Department of Agriculture and Food."

The Senator suspected a conflict of interest that really needs to be called out.

"There needs to be objectivity. It is in the Department's interest to meet delivery goals and I do not think there is enough objectivity there.

"We have not clearly demonstrated how to deal with Storm Éowyn and the challenges it brought without trying to bring more forestry to a community that is totally against it. I call on the Minister to engage with the community," Duffy said.

Threats to local contractors hired by Coillte

Meanwhile, Coillte also raised the issue of abusive behaviour towards local contractors hired to carry out the project.

"Regrettably, these contractors have recently been subjected to threats and intimidation locally."

Coillte reaffirmed its "Strategic Vision for its Forest Estate outlines its ambition to enable the creation of 100,000 hectares of new forests in Ireland by 2050, for climate, nature, wood and people."

The organisation says, the forest sector in Ireland contributes over €2.3 billion annually to the economy and supports circa 12,000 jobs in rural communities.   

The Irish Government has set a target to achieve an annual afforestation rate of 8,000 hectares per year as part of its Climate Action Plan.

This goal is aimed at increasing carbon sequestration, supporting biodiversity, and contributing to Ireland’s broader climate objectives, including a 51 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Ireland’s forest cover stands at just 11.4 percent today which is significantly lower than the European average of approximately 40 percent.

Tonight's meeting in Ballycastle takes place at 8pm in Ballycastle Community Hall. 

READ: 'Little Angel' - Mayo family devastated as little girl sadly dies after battle with illness