During a meeting held by the Athlone Moate Municipal District, councillors unanimously agreed to write to the State, urging the government to provide additional support for landowners tasked with removing infected trees from roadsides. The councillors emphasized the critical need for action, highlighting the potential safety risks posed by diseased trees near public thoroughfares.

The decision to initiate this campaign reflects growing concerns among the local community about the environmental and economic impacts of ash dieback. Councillors are calling on the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage to expand existing measures, which currently offer up to €5,000 per hectare to farmers managing infected woodlands.



However, these provisions are seen as insufficient for the costly and labour-intensive task of removing hazardous trees from more vulnerable areas, such as along roadways.

By seeking enhanced government intervention, Westmeath councillors aim to ensure that landowners are not left to shoulder the burden of addressing this widespread issue alone. The letter, set to be sent in the coming days, represents a unified local effort to mitigate the effects of ash dieback and protect public safety across the county.