Dangerous trees ‘everywhere’ in Laois risk to ‘man and beast’

Laois trees need to be surveyed with a view to removal as there are ‘dangerous trees everywhere’ in the county.

That was the demand made of officials in County Hall, Portlaoise at a recent meeting where county councillors tabled motions calling for trimming due to the problems caused.

Cllr Ollie Clooney, Independent, believes a whole county initiative is now required of Laois County Council.

“I think a survey should be carried out because there are dangerous trees everywhere. In my area, there are heaps of trees that should be removed or a storm will blow them down. They are a danger to man and beast,” he said.

He called on the council to contact owners to seek removal.

“If they don’t remove them, get them removed,” he said.

Apart from the risk of being knocked down in storms, he said the trees are damaging telephone and electricity cables.

Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fáil, supported. He said the Ash dieback problem. He warned however that there is a huge cost in removal which landowners or householders may not be able to afford. 

Cllr John King, Fine Gael, believed that the local is being ‘nearly too kind’ in its current approach which he said was to write to landowners requesting that trees be made safe.

He highlighted a case some years back in the Errill area where trees were only removed when a local woman was almost killed when a tree fell on her car. He said landowners should be warned by the council that they are responsible for damage caused by fallen trees from their properties.

“Somebody has to be held responsible,” he insisted.

The issue was raised at the Borris-in-Ossory Moutmellick Municipal District meeting.