TD suggests warden for Bray Head

A warden should be appointed to public lands on Bray Head to prevent further destruction of vegetation and wildlife by malicious fires, a local TD has urged.

Mr Dick Roche made the call after the latest in a series of fires, which he said were turning large areas of the head into "virtual no-go areas".

Much of the head was engulfed in flames and smoke on Sunday after the fire - apparently started by drinking youths - broke out in gorse and heather near the top of the mountain. A unit of the Co Wicklow fire brigade fought the blaze, while local landowners helped to create fire breaks.

The TD said much of the wildlife on the head had been destroyed in recent years by fires started deliberately, including one four years ago which wiped out most of the pine woods.

The red squirrel population had disappeared as a result of the woods' destruction, he added.

"During that fire, residents reported hearing the cries of unfortunate animals being destroyed. In last year's fires, hundreds of hares were burned to death. "The population of rabbits on the head has now virtually disappeared - again as a result of fires."

Mr Roche said that while it was laudable of Bray Urban Council to seek to bring as much of the head as possible into public ownership, it was incumbent on the local authority to ensure that public ownership did not threaten flora or fauna in the area.

"Clearly there can be no public enjoyment of Bray Head if it is to become the domain of drinking parties, which has been the case in recent times. "The council also has a responsibility to ensure that its lands are not used by groups intent on either lawlessness or vandalism."

A disturbing aspect of the problem, Mr Roche said, was the reluctance of the fire brigade to respond to gorse blazes in recent times. He understood the difficulties faced by fire-fighters, but added:

"In the case of Bray Head, the gorse fires set on public lands are causing the destruction of valuable flora, have caused untold suffering among the head's wildlife population, have threatened private property and have rendered large areas of the head virtual no-go areas.

"This is simply not acceptable, and the council - as the landowner and responsible statutory authority - must take effective steps to bring the problem to an end. An important start could be made by immediately appointing a warden."