TREES and bridges in Tollymore Forest Park bore the brunt of Storm Betty at the weekend. Photographs sent to the Mourne Observer by a local reader illustrated the impact of the storm, which battered the district on Friday night and into the early hours of Saturday morning. The park’s three wooden bridges, two of which appeared to be severely damaged, were immediately closed to the public. The same structures were previously washed away by floodwater.
Forest Service, within DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs), was contacted for comment on the extent of the damage, the estimated timeframe and costs for repairs, and if the park’s accessibility had been affected; however, a response had not been received by the time the Mourne Observer went to print.
On Saturday, the council posted online that the forest drive at Kilbroney Park had to be closed due to fallen trees, and that mountain bike trail access had also been impacted. In the wake of the storm, Mournes SDLP councillor Laura Devlin called on the local authority to arrange an urgent inspection of Newcastle Harbour’s moorings. “Storm Betty hit hard last Friday night, with boat owners and the harbour community up most of the night doing their best to support each other and protect their property,” she said. “The moorings of at least five boats were destroyed. “I am told that many other moorings are badly rusted and at risk.”
The local representative added that the boat owners had “really pulled together in dangerous conditions to support each other and ensure that no boat was lost to the storm”. “There is such strong community spirit at the harbour,” she said. “Whilst the weather was really bad, as a council we need to ensure that we are prepared; however, what I have heard from the boat owners, in terms of the moorings, is to the contrary. “I hope this assessment takes place immediately and any repair works are carried out very soon.”
