Cost of removing storm-damaged trees from Mayo park a whopping €11.8k

THE full cost of removing Storm Eowyn affected and fallen trees in Tom Ruane Park, Ballina, is €11,804 (including VAT), local councillors have been told.

That cost includes removal of exposed tree roots as well as branch shredding and wood chipping.

The costings were revealed by Declan Ginnelly, district executive engineer, in response to a notice of motion tabled by Councillor Annie May Reape at the June monthly meeting of Ballina Municipal District.

Councillor Reape asked Ballina MD to advise when the fallen trees in Tom Ruane Park since Storm Eowyn would be removed and also provide an estimate of the full costs.

Upon learning of the costs involved, Councillor Reape wondered if there was any other way to carry out the work.

Mr. Ginnelly said the price was representative of where society is at currently, adding that there is quite a lot of work involved and a specialist contractor would be needed to carry out the job.

The engineer said they are getting a lot of requests for tree trimming and removal.

“It is a huge issue in Ballina,” he stated, and said a five-year programme would solve the problem. “But it would need to be funded,” he pointed out.

Councillor Michael Loftus asked where was the funding announced by the government for clean-up work in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn.

“Why is the money not coming from that umbrella? Where is the funding that was supposed to come from government?” he queried.

Councillor Marie Therese Duffy agreed that some external support was needed, saying they would need much more money from Dublin for the work.

Councillor John O'Hara proposed writing to Minister Dara Calleary so that he could bring it up at cabinet level.

“It's important that we get an answer from a government minister on this,” he stated.

Councillor O'Hara also proposed writing to the Minister for Agriculture (Martin Heydon) to introduce a scheme for farmers to grant aid tree cutting along roads.

The head of Ballina MD, Anna Connor, said she would look into the issue of the Storm Eowyn fund and also at other potential funding streams in relation to tree removal in Tom Ruane Park.

* Funded by the Local Democracy Courts Reporting Scheme.