Ash dieback looms in Leitrim as councillors seek national action

The issue of ash dieback affecting trees was once again raised in this month’s Leitrim County Council meeting, with no indication that the Council has secured provisions to implement a scheme to address the deteriorating trees.

Ash dieback is a fungal disease affecting ash trees that was first identified in County Leitrim in 2012. The disease has since vastly spread across the country and is expected to kill most ash trees over the next 20 years,

Cllr Enda Stenson proposed a motion urging that local authorities and the Department put a plan in place to start removing the deadly trees.

Cllr Stenson said that the question of who holds responsibility for trees along the roadside needs to be addressed—not by the local authority alone, but through a national scheme.

He told councillors that he witnessed a tree fall in front of him during Storm Ashley on October 20.

“We’ve got to circulate every local authority, I know the Government is going to dissolve but we have to bring this back.

“The ash trees are an absolute danger and we can’t wait for some accident to happen,” Cllr Stenson said.

Push for extra funding to combat ash dieback in Leitrim and improve road safety

Cllr James Gilmartin proposed adding extra funding to grant grants for hedge cutting to assist landowners with ash dieback.

Cllr Eddie Mitchell added that fire blight should also be included, noting that a significant problem with fire blight is on the horizon.

Cllr Stenson’s motion received broad support from council members.

Cathaoirleach Paddy O’Rourke asked CEO Joseph Gilhooly whether the central Government should be approached regarding this issue, given that Leitrim is a predominantly rural county.

“It’s certainly an issue, unfortunately the responsibility lands on the individual landowners,” Mr Gilhooly replied.

A reply from Economic Development explained that Leitrim County Council lacks the funds to address this issue without central Government support.

The reply also noted that the 2024 Hedgecutting Policy includes a grant scheme to help manage overhanging tree canopies. 

This offers €75 per kilometre for hedge and tree trimming, with an additional €50 per kilometre (totalling €125) for areas with dangerous overhanging branches, provided there are at least 10 trees needing canopy removal per kilometre.

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