Irish Rail has defended its decision to cut a section of hedgerow during the closed season along its Dublin to Galway line following criticism from the Green Party.

The party has expressed its outrage at what it described as “hedgerow destruction” along a track in Co Offaly.

In a statement, it said the vast majority of landowners and farmers adhered to the law, but that Irish Rail had used an exemption to cut in April when "birds are sitting on nests and rearing their chicks".

Safety concerns

A quarter-mile stretch of hedge either side of the line was cut after Irish Rail judged there to be a safety issue.

It said the trees had grown very high, which caused visibility issues and damage to fencing.

It said there had been a number of serious incidents over the past year following animal incursions on to the tracks.

Vegetation management is allowed outside of the season in exceptional circumstances via a derogation under section 49 of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure Act) 2001.

Green Party spokesperson for agriculture and heritage Pippa Hackett said what she witnessed had been catastrophic for nesting birds and biodiversity.

The Offaly native said: “I have seen many incidences of severe hedge trimming, even hedge removal during the cutting season, but never have I witnessed such wanton hedgerow destruction at the height of the nesting season, with hedges on the point of bloom.

“Nests, chicks and biodiversity have been mulched to the ground.”

Serious questions

She said that while no one disputed railway safety was paramount, serious questions of Irish Rail’s environmental team would have to be asked.

“Not only had they six months to conduct this work when the birds were not nesting, the severity with which these hedges have been butchered is deplorable.”

Hackett concluded by saying it was unforgivable that a State-owned company “should commit such an act of deliberate destruction on our environment".

Irish Rail plans to meet with the Green Party to outline its approach and to ensure its protocols meet best practice, while ensuring the safety of the railway is prioritised at all times.