Sixty hedge cutting notices issued in September

Westmeath County Council have issued 60 hedge cutting notices since the start of last month. The figures were revealed to members of the Athlone Moate Municipal District at the October meeting.

The law on the matter obliges landowners to ensure that any structures, trees or hedges on their property do not obstruct the safe use of the public road or the maintenance of them or create a hazard for people using them.

The law required hedgerows along public roads that require cutting or trimming back should be cut immediately and all cuttings removed from the roads and verges and that adequate signposting should be provided when undertaking such work.

Roadside trees should be inspected, and necessary action should be taken to prevent any potential hazard to the public. Those inspections should be carried out by suitably qualified personnel.

The liability for damage or injury resulting from such hazards will rest with the landowner/occupier.

In a question on the Athlone Moate MD agenda, Cllr John Dolan (FG) asked how many hedge cutting notices were issued in 2025, and specifically since September 2025.

The reply stated that 70 hedge cutting notices were issued in 2025, 60 of them issued since September 1, 2025.

The council statement said: “A general information notice was published on the council website and on social media on September 1, 2025 in relation to landowners’ obligation to cut/trim roadside hedges and trees.”

In another query on the matter, Cllr Liam McDaniel asked what the next step was when dealing with landowners who do not comply with notice.

The reply was: “In relation to non-compliance with a notice, the council considers options on a case-by-case basis. Options include the council cutting the hedge/tree as necessary and charging cost to landowner or taking action through the Courts Service.”