Coillte, the national semi-state forestry company, is advising local people to avoid its forest estate in Cavan and Monaghan while the clear-up following Storm Éowyn continues.
The organisation says while they still don't know the full extent of damage caused by Storm Éowyn, current indications are it's "extensive". In a statement on their website, Coillte says their priority at this time is "to support the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, power companies and local communities, by clearing individual trees to open road access and helping them to restore power and services to homes and farms as quickly as possible."
The forestry group says while their staff endeavours to clear impacted areas as quickly as possible safety is their absolute priority. And, as hazards arising from storm damage may not be visible, Coillte asks members of the public not to enter forests in 16 counties including Cavan and Monaghan until further notice.
Rossmore Park and the Senator Billy Fox Memorial Park in Monaghan and Killykeen Forest park and the Dún a Rí Forest park in Cavan are all in the Coillte portfolio in the Northern Sound region.
