Forestry company Coillte is being urged to stop the proposed sale of 26 acres of land at Clarinbridge in Co Galway.

Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has called for the sale to be "stopped immediately" to allow for a proper local consultation and a full assessment of the potential of the state owned asset.

Mr Ó Clochartaigh met with residents in the area who raised concerns over the proposed sale.

He said: "The local residents raised questions with me as to why there has been no proper consultation with the local community on the sale. They maintain that clarification needs to be given in relation to right of way for any new owners, the potential use of the lands, what felling licenses are in place and why a valuable state asset is being sold off in such a hasty manner?

-- Advertisement --

"I'm told that the woods are a hive of activity for Red Squirrels, Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, Pine Martens, Barn owls, Bats and other important species. It is also home to a community of badgers which are subject to a Department of Agriculture study into combatting tuberculosis. There are a wide variety of mature hardwood trees to be found there as it was a planned woodland with particular heritage significance. It is important that Coillte disclose all of the Environmental Impact Reports that have been done before this sale proceeds and the implications of the sale in that regard are fully debated.

"It seems very strange that a state agency such as Coillte, on foot of inquiries from an interested individual, appear to be planning to offload this woodland in a hurry in the middle of the summer, without proper discussion with the local community on the potential for development and retention of the amenity in public ownership for generations to come."

(CD/MH)