Northern Ireland Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir recently visited a County Tyrone park following the substantial impact of Storms Darragh, Éowyn and Herminia.

Drum Manor Forest Park in Cookstown has saw major clean up efforts from Forest Service staff and contractors, who have worked diligently to assess the extent of damage and are carrying out priority clearance works, in particular, those affecting residential properties and neighbouring businesses. This includes restoring access to public facilities such as toilets.

Drum Manor Forest Park is one of many forest and country parks that were severly impacted by the storms, resulting in serious safety issues for the public. Some of the worst hit forests included: Gosford, Tardree, Tollymore, Castlewellan, Riversdale, Lough Navar, Favour Royal, Fardross, Mullaghafad and Kesh.

-- Advertisement --

Discussing his visit, Minister Muir said: "Many forests have greatly reduced public access for public safety reasons and several facilities remain unavailable.

"Further assessment and works to reinstate access has commenced across the forest estate and is expected to be ongoing for a number of weeks in many forests. The public should check on NIDirect or local council websites, to see when the forests and country parks are accessible to visit again and respect all public safety signage."

Minister Muir continued: "While our country parks are now mostly open to the public, works to fully restore public access to all areas are ongoing.

"Electricity supply issues remain and the Forest Service staff and contractors are working closely with NIE to restore power in many rural locations.

"I would like to express my deep gratitude to the many Forest Service and Country Park staff, and the specialist contractors, who have been working tirelessly to make our estate safe again. They have also assisted with the clean-up efforts of roads, residential properties and neighbouring businesses and in the reconnection of the electricity supply."