In the dark at Killykeen

“All the trees that were blocking the entrance to Killykeen Forest are lined up now along the route,” says local man Pat Clarke who endeavoured to walk in the forest on Monday. However, the effort wasn’t to be as the numerous trees, blown down by Storm Éowyn along the access routes into the forest, made it very difficult for him to continue enjoying the popular west Cavan recreational facility.

An ESB pole erected to service Cabu by the Lakes was also split in two during the storm and electricity wires lie bare over one of the access paths. And, while it’s a little bit like Armageddon in the much-loved forest this week, locals have also been left reeling in the storm’s aftermath with hundreds in and around the forest still waiting for power to be restored to their homes, roofs blown off sheds and a lack of drinking water for cattle. Pat is one of those locals. He lives alone and close to Killykeen Forest where his daughter resides “just over the field” from him.

On Monday morning when Pat went to the area to enjoy a walk and some fresh air, he found he couldn’t go anywhere “because of all the trees that were down along the path”. “The whole place is a mess,” he told the Anglo Celt on Monday.

Pat questioned the logic in bringing electricity lines through the forest for private residents.

“The power was brought in through the car parking area. Coillte didn’t make any provision to cut down the trees when the place was opened up to power lines. You can drive the car straight into the forest today because all the trees have been removed along the route and yet, when you get out to go for your walk, you can go nowhere.”

While Coillte has said storm damage across its estates is “extensive”, it has yet to be fully assessed (see statement on page 9). With regard to his own situation, Pat still has no power to his home. However, with the help of another family member and a generator, Pat was “very happy” to be able to get water to his animals and fill up the drinkers.

Meanwhile, in a statement to the Celt, the Director of CABÜ Ltd, which runs CABÜ by the Lakes, Olivia Hutchinson said there was “luck” involved from the company’s perspective because the trees that fell during the storm “didn’t damage any of our cabins”.

“Although there were plenty of fallen trees, we are in the process of the clear-up operation and anticipate reopening for this weekend assuming full service can be resumed,” she said.

Ms Hutchinston praised the “Cavan staff” and their “great camaraderie and enthusiasm” in getting the business back on track.

“It’s been very unfortunate as CABU by the Lakes has become incredibly popular and we have been fully booked throughout January and February. We have experienced some future cancellations as people around the country have been affected.

“As far as the wider Killykeen Forest Park is concerned, there have been significant losses of trees, which will take some time to clear. Coillte will be making their own announcement on when it will be safe to go back into certain sections of the park.”

Coillte said it “doesn’t know” the full extent of the damage at Killykeen at this stage. In a statement to the Celt, a spokesperson added: “Once we’ve dealt with the priority of tree clearance, our focus will turn to mapping and estimating the extent of damage across our forest estate."

Damage is extensive - Coillte

The national forestry agency says its current priority is supporting the efforts of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, power companies and local communities. However it admits “early indications” are storm damage across its estates is “extensive”.

“At this stage we do not know the full extent of the damage caused by Storm Éowyn to our forest estate. However, early indications are that it is extensive,” a spokesperson told the Celt on Monday.

“Our priority at this time is to support the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, power companies and local communities, by clearing individual trees to open road access and helping them to restore power and services to homes and farms as quickly as possible.”

Coillte’s staff and contractors, they added, are continuing to work “hard in hazardous conditions” to deal with any damage caused as quickly as possible.

“We thank our neighbours and stakeholders for their patience and for highlighting any damage and as we clear the most urgent areas as a priority.

“With regard to damage to our own forest estate, we do not have specific details at this time. Once we’ve dealt with the priority of tree clearance, our focus will turn to mapping and estimating the extent of damage across our forest estate.”

In the interests of safety Coillte is also asking the public not to enter forests where there is clear storm damage or where there are clearance operations underway.

“As we endeavour to clear areas impacted by storm damage as quickly as possible, safety is our absolute priority. Hazards arising from storm damage may not be visible. Coillte is asking members of the public not to enter forests where there is clear storm damage or where there are clearance operations underway.”