MEMBERS of the public have been urged to “stay away” from a popular forest park over safety fears.
Mote Park in Co Roscommon remains closed after the area was severely damaged in Storm Eowyn last month, with clean-up efforts still ongoing.
The main entrance to the park, which is located on the N61, remains blocked by fallen trees.
Coillte are still attempting to clear the fallen debris from the site, prompting the popular woodland amenity to issue a safety alert to park goers.
And following incidents of locals disrupting workers, Mote Park Conservation Group issued an additional “stay away” warning.
Posting on social media it warned: “Due to the ongoing clearance work taking place on the roads through the forest at Mote Park the public are reminded to stay away from the area.
“There have been several instances since the work started of individuals walking right through the roads while machinery is operating and work is taking place.
“This is unfair to the contractors carrying out the work and compromises the safety of everyone.
“Please be patient and give Coillte the time to make the area safe, Mote Park will be open soon again for recreation.”
And as efforts continue, Gardai have confirmed enquires were launched into two deaths in Galway during the clean-up of the storm.
A man, aged in his 70s in the Clarinbridge area died on February 3, while former Galway hurler Michael Coleman died following an incident near his home in Ballyglunin on Feburary 7.
Last week, Gardai in Galway confirmed they were preparing a file for the local coroner in relation to the man in his 70s’ death after his remains were discovered amid clean-up efforts.
And hurling icon Micheal Coleman is understood to have died while clearing trees near his Galway home after the storm.
The 62-year-old was remembered as a “loving husband and best friend” to his wife Mary.
TRAGIC LOSSES
The GAA star is survived by his wife and two children Dara and Sinéad and is missed by his mother-in-law Kathleen Cooley, brothers Paddy, Christy, Jarlath, Bernie, Joe, Mattie, Eugene and his sisters Mary, Una, and Bridie.
He is also deeply regretted by his adored nephews and nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours friends and the wider GAA community.
The dad-of-two was laid to rest on February 13 in Brooklodge Cemetery.
A 20-year-old man was also killed in Feddyglass, Raphoe in Co Donegal during the storm.
Kacper Dudek was driving home from a night shift at work in the midst of the hellish storm on Friday January 24, when a tree stuck his car.
The young man was laid to rest after a funeral mass St Patrick’s Church in Lifford on January 30.
