Main pic: Remnants of the trees that were cut down in December 2024.
The Department of Agriculture has ordered trees to be replanted in a century-old woodland that was illegally felled in east Donegal.
They also said it issued a ‘cease and desist’ letter after being alerted to the large-scale clearing of mostly native broadleaf trees at Crossroads, Killygordon, in December 2024.
Locals had expressed concern at the time over the destruction of the area known locally as ‘The Island’.
The wood, which covers over two acres, the majority of which consists of native century-old broadleaves, is situated on privately owned land in the townland of Avaltygort.
A spokesperson for the department said one of their officials first attended the site in December 2024.
“There was a Cease and Desist letter issued to the landowner, which outlined that the felling of these trees may be in contravention of the Forestry Act 2014, thus rendering them potentially liable for prosecution,” they said.
“Following further investigation, a draft Replanting Order was issued to the landowner in January 2026, requiring either the affected land to be replanted by June 2026 or the submission of an alternative replanting proposal to the Department by February 2026. The Department will continue to pursue the matter as per our procedures and according to the provisions of the Forestry Act, potentially leading to prosecution”.
Just a handful of trees remain in the old wood at Crossroads, Killygordon.
‘Potential prosecution’ threat over felling of old east Donegal wood was last modified: January 8th, 2026 by Staff Writer
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