Experts urge Galway council to reconsider Merlin Woods felling plans
Sunday 13 September 2026
Reports submitted by Friends of Merlin Woods suggest that most trees in the 3.5-hectare area are structurally sound and can be managed safely.
Independent experts have urged Galway council to reconsider plans to fell 3.5 hectares of Merlin Woods, arguing the trees can be managed safely.
In reports submitted by the group Friends of Merlin Woods, specialists concluded that the majority of the trees in the affected area are structurally sound. The submission contends that the woodland can be maintained through active safety management rather than large-scale felling.
The reports call on Galway council to review its proposals for the 3.5-hectare site. The findings suggest that alternative preservation and management methods are viable, presenting an option to preserve the woodland rather than proceeding with the planned felling.