Residents and people concerned with wildlife beside the Killarney National Park have complained about recent helicopter activity. Much of the activity over the past week may have been linked to the Irish Open at Ballybunion.
A boatman, Mr John Michael Lyne, said that "it's like being in the middle of a Mad Max movie". Helicopters "are rising and landing over Mangerton and Torc mountains so many times I've lost count".
He described the noise on the normally tranquil Middle Lake as "ear-splitting".
"The funny thing is I had just been talking to an English couple from Windermere, in the Lake District in England, and they were saying, whatever we do in Killarney not to allow water-skiing because of the noise. Next thing this helicopter rises from the trees in Mangerton directly over the Middle Lake."
The chairman of the Red Deer Society, Mr Noel Grimes, said his association was greatly concerned. "We are in the middle of the deer calving season and this is very upsetting for the deer. The slopes of Mangerton and Torc are prime deer areas," he explained.
Noise pollution and excessive helicopter use are the concerns of the Muckross Community Association, whose members described themselves as "angry" over the intrusion. The association is to hold a special meeting to discuss the helicopters.
"It's not just the deer. All forms of wildlife are affected. And there is the question of noise pollution, as well as privacy, with helicopters constantly flying over our houses," Mr Tim Doona said. "Nobody minds once or twice but these last days have been awful," he added.
Duchas, which manages the National Park, says it will seek assurances from the people mainly concerned with last week's helicopter activity, and point out the disturbances to wildlife.
A clause in the management plan of the Killarney National Park prohibits the use of helicopters in the National Park. In reality, however, the prohibition may have little standing, according to spokesmen.
Environmental concerns are the function of the planning authority and the EPA. "But if the problems are of a persistent nature, we will deal with them," the IAA said.