A Kerry County Councillor is calling for action to be taken against people who ignore requests to cut their hedges.
Independent councillor Dan McCarthy made the call at the recent Kenmare Municipal District meeting.
Cllr Dan McCarthy asked Kerry County Council if it had issued proceedings to people who have not cut back their hedgerows within the last 12-months.
The council says it has not issued legal proceedings in relation to hedge cutting in this municipal district during that timeframe.
However, it says there were 197 complaints investigated by the Municipal District Enforcement Officer, with 181 locations cut following the issuing of notices and follow up engagement with landowners.
The council says it’s continuing to examine the preferred course of action in relation to the remaining locations including cutting some of the locations under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended) and billing the landowners for the cost.
Cllr McCarthy praised the work of the enforcement officers and says the issue is a big one as his phone doesn’t stop ringing with such reports and motorists highlighting the damage overgrown hedges have caused to their vehicles.
He says 97% of people cut their hedges but says the other 3% that ignore requests to cut hedges must face action.
