Storm Éowyn repairs to cost council €600,000

The aftermath of Storm Éowyn has left Westmeath County Council with an estimated €600,000 repair bill, a local authority meeting has heard.

At the monthly meeting of Westmeath County Council last week, Cllr Mick Dollard requested information on “what it will actually cost the two districts in monetary terms to carry out repairs”.

“And have national government indicated if any money or compensation will be coming out to the local authority as a consequence of that?” he asked.

Chief executive Barry Kehoe confirmed that the council has estimated the costs at around €600,000.

“We have notified the relevant department of those costs and we’ll be hoping that we’ll be compensated to that extent,” he said.

“The department, as I understand it, is compiling all of the costs from around the country and a formal call for submissions will come in due course, but that’s the cost that we incurred insofar as we can compile them at this point.”

Furthermore, concerns over hazardous roadside trees were raised, and elected members pushed for a joint meeting involving landowners, forestry groups, and local authorities.

Cllr Denis Leonard emphasised the need for a proactive approach, warning that some trees are in “precarious situations” following the destruction of the storm .

“We just want to know if there is any progress being made in a joint meeting between tree surgeons, the IFA, Coillte, the council, landowners and different bodies involved,” he said.

“The problem of roadside trees is absolutely huge. A lot of forests were devastated but at least they are in forest areas, but an awful lot of roadside trees are left in very, very precarious situations.”

It was confirmed that while responsibility for maintenance lies with landowners, the council will notify owners of any identified risks.

“As the law stands, the trees are the responsibility of the adjacent landowner and the cost of dealing with the trees must be borne by the adjacent landowner,” said Mr Kehoe.

“There isn’t a grant scheme of any kind in place to assist