Call for investigation into 'malicious' spate of fires set in Cork suburb

Residents in the vicinity of Murphy’s Rock have called for an investigation into a spate of fires that were set in the area over recent weeks.

Local councillor Oliver Moran, who recently put a motion to council on the matter, told The Echo that the fires “pose a significant threat to the natural beauty and ecology of the area”.

“The fires are typically at the weekend,” said Mr Moran. “That it’s now happening so often highlights the need for action.”

He said his motion calls for “an awareness campaign on the risks associated with gorse fires, and to roll in behind the vigilance of the community”.

Mr Moran wants to see Cork City Council, An Garda Síochána, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service co-operate on the issue.

Drained

Local residents’ association chairperson Joan Lewis told The Echo that gardaí and the fire service has been called to the area on an all-too-regular basis, adding: “I’m just drained from it. I’ll be sitting at home relaxing and the next thing I get a call saying Murphy’s Rock is on fire again, and I’m rushing up, trying to get in contact with the Fire Brigade.”

“Generations of northsiders have used Murphy’s Rock, and it’s precious to them, it’s just awful that this is happening, and in broad daylight,” said Ms Lewis.

“It’s very unfair to destroy this green area, and extremely dangerous with the dry weather. We’ve been afraid it was going to take off — I don’t think the people doing it understand the danger if it spreads.

“We’ve requested an investigation into the fires, and we’re planning to put signage up letting people know that we are watching and that it’s a protected area; we have badgers, foxes, bats, and owls there.”

Malicious

Victor Shine, second officer at the Cork City Fire Brigade, confirmed to The Echo they had been called to the fires. He said the weekends have been “very heavy” in terms of gorse fires and fires in fields, predominantly in Murphy’s Rock and Dublin Hill. He said the majority have been malicious.

“They’ve all been small and dealt with within a few minutes, nothing that would challenge us, bar the frequency, but of course they could be dangerous if they spread.

“One weekend was extremely busy, with quite a number of repeated calls to the same areas.”

A spokesperson for IDA, which owns the land, told The Echo it is aware of the recent incidents involving trespass and arson. The spokesperson said: “The matter has been formally referred to the gardaí for investigation. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates to the relevant stakeholders as developments arise.”