Backlog low as majority comply with tree maintenance rules

Some 1,202 hedge and tree cutting notices were issued across the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad between September and December 2024, according to figures revealed at the June district meeting.

The update was provided in response to a query by Cllr Niall Gaffney, who pressed for clarity on the status of enforcement actions and the progress made on outstanding notices, stated that the subject of dangerous or overhanging trees continues to be a frequent topic at both district and full council meetings.

Cllr Gaffney said he understood that the approach has been to send out tree cutting notices, but that in some cases, the council has actually been cutting the trees and subsequently issuing invoices to the owners. He wondered what the current position is in terms of enforcement, and whether there is a backlog on enforcement in relation to the 1,202 notices referred to in the written response.

District Engineer Pat Kavanagh said that most landowners have complied without issue.

“In general, we get a very good response,” he told Cllr Gaffney. “If you drive around the district, I’d say Westmeath is actually in fairly decent shape when it comes to hedge and tree maintenance.”

Mr Kavanagh added that while the majority of notices lead to successful outcomes, there are exceptions. “Some cases require follow-up, and there are landowners who are harder to reach or less cooperative. But we remind them of their responsibilities—legally, and from a health and safety point of view.”

In a small number of cases where the council cannot contact the landowner, or the landowner doesn’t live in the county and public safety is at risk, the council has taken direct action.

However, formal legal enforcement remains a last resort. “We try to work with landowners rather than go down the court route. But we will if we have to.”