Action sought on scrambler use in conservation land in north Leitrim

Issues surrounding the use of scramblers - off-road motorbikes or dirt bikes - on Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) land in Leitrim were discussed at April’s meeting of Manorhamilton Municipal District.

Cllr Justin Warnock brought forward a motion following several reports about people riding scramblers on Arroo and Aghavohil mountain.

He requested that the National Park and Wildlife Service be contacted to arrange for informational signage to be installed in these areas, helping to raise awareness about the SAC designation and the responsibility to protect these environments.

“This is a special area of conservation but there’s no signage from the National Park and Wildlife Service to let people know that it is,” Cllr Warnock said.

He described how individuals unfamiliar with the area are treating the land as a “playground” for scramblers.

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“It was designated a SAC because of the wildlife,” he said. Cllr Warnock highlighted the presence of endangered bird species in the area and emphasised that the use of scramblers is “detrimental” to them. 

According to a site synopsis report by the National Park and Wildlife Service, the mountain is designated as a SAC due to its range of important habitats including wet and dry alpine and subalpine heaths, blanket bogs, petrifying springs, calcareous scree, and rocky slopes.

“It’s not good enough in a time of a biodiversity crisis,” he added.

Cllr Warnock’s motion was seconded by Cllr Eddie Mitchell.

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