*Councillors in the Shannon MD debated the matter.
HOGWEED’s spread across South-East Clare needs to be got to grips with, elected representatives have stressed.
Development of a long-term strategy “to combat the growth and spread of Hogweed across the Municipal District with particular focus on the Shannonbanks area” was sought by Cllr Rachel Hartigan (FF).
A contractor has been appointed within the Shannon Municipal Disrict to treat Giant Hogweed on the Erinagh and Blackwater catchments, senior executive engineer Tom Mellett advised. “This is the third year of treatment and it is envisaged another three years of treatment will be required. This treatment was extended in 2023 to cover areas either side of Athlunkard Bridge when stands were identified here including Shannonbanks”.
Treatment has followed a survey and mapping project conducted by Clare County Council’s planning department and Dr Frances Giacquinto, the Feakle based independent plant ecologist.
Mellett added, “in order to carry out comprehensive treatment the Shannon Municipal District office identified private landowners in the catchments to have them included in the eradication project. Separately to this we engage a contractor to treat roadside stands on an as needed basis”.
Having read the reply, Cllr Hartigan acknowledged a strategy exists. “These invasive species are very difficult to deal with and eradicate. The people in Shannonbanks do feel it is something that is ignored or cast aside so I’m delighted to have the response. I would be happy to see the results of the survey”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) pointed out that the matter had been discussed on “numerous occasions”. He stated, “I still have issues with how the programme is going, there seems to be a lateness with starting the programme each year”. Begley said, “It has literally taken over some areas and areas along the Blackwater river and the public road which worries me a bit more, Giant Hogweed is dangerous particularly to children, all you have to do is touch off it on a sunny day and you have a rash for life”.
According to the Clonlara representative, “We need a stronger campaign for Government, it needs funding and it should not be coming out of our roads programme”. Begley continued, “A concerted effort has to be promoted by Clare County Council and perhaps the environmental section needs to do it rather than Municipal District on its own”. He said, “The hogweed is something we have to get to grips with”.
Giant Hogweed “is a serious issue” in the locality, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) cautioned. “I personally know someone who was waiting on the programme, who got annoyed waiting, went out and cut it and ended up with permanent scarring on their neck,” she highlighted.
Support for the proposal was voiced by Cllr David Griffin (FF). “Japanese knotweed doesn’t have has much of a health impact but we do have it around Carrygerry and Stonehall, there is a fear that it is spreading into agricultural land”. This prompted Cllr Begley to point out, “The more you cut it the more you spread it”.
Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) commented, “I’ve been telling people in Shannonbanks for last six months that it will be taken care of but it is like we’ve been made fools of”.
Addressing the Shannon MD meeting, Mellett admitted, “one of the big constraints we have is the funding is coming from our own resources”. He stated, “We identified each landowner on the corridor and contacted them, it is very difficult for private landowners to address this, we’ve gone beyond what we normally do”.
He continued, “The areas in Shannonbanks have been treated over the last number of years, the seeds can lie on the ground for several years before they become active”. The engineer concluded, “We have a commitment to have funding with our own contractor for three years”.
