'It's not over' - Merlin Woods campaigners vow to continue fight as clearfelling begins
A spokesperson for the Friends of Merlin Woods group said they were considering “all options” after Galway City Council ignored their efforts to protect biodiversity in the popular woodland
A community group has vowed to continue its campaign to save 3.5 hectares of forestry at Merlin Woods despite clearfelling works commencing at the popular location earlier this week.
Galway City Council is planning to carry out extensive clearfelling across more than 15 hectares of woodland at the site, arguing that this is a matter of public safety following damage caused by Storm Éowyn last year.
However, a report commissioned by the Friends of Merlin Woods community group has suggested that safety concerns could be addressed without large-scale clearance of forestry that would damage biodiversity in the area.
Caroline Stanley, a spokesperson for the group, told Galway Live that the report had been submitted to Galway City Council but no acknowledgement had been received.
She said contractors had moved onto the site last Monday and commenced clearfelling works, which she believes will destroy the rich biodiversity of Merlin Woods and replace the scenic amenity with an “apocalyptic” landscape.
“It’s pretty shocking,” she said. “This is going to be a total wipeout. You’re going in there and basically hoovering up any biodiversity that’s there. Anyone who has ever seen a clearfelled forest will know that nothing is left afterwards.”
Ms Stanley accused the local authority of “completely ignoring” the community group, and suggested that initial communication had referred to the removal of knocked trees, but had since escalated to large-scale clearfelling.
She said the campaign’s momentum is growing because people are only now finding out about the extent of the council’s plans, and the whole community is “up in arms” about the impact it would have on the area.
Asked whether they are considering escalating action in a bid to save Merlin Woods, Ms Stanley replied: “Well, I couldn’t say we aren’t but I don’t know yet, to be honest. It has to be a whole-of-community discussion.
“We are looking at all the options,” she added.
Despite the commencement or clearfelling works at the location this week, Ms Stanley remained determined to preserve the local woodland.
“It isn’t over,” she said. “We never throw the towel in. We’ll fight until they’re gone.”
Galway City Council did not respond to a request for comment.