Large fire at Killarney National Park caused by ‘human activity’, Minister says

Michael Bolton

A large fire at Killarney National Park in Co Kerry was caused by “human activity” and “not nature”, Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan has said.

Several fire service units and helicopters from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) were dispatched to tackle a large wildfire in the Five Mile Bridge/Moll’s Gap area of the park over recent days.

Kerry County Council closed the main N71 Killarney to Kenmare road between the major tourist destinations of Moll’s Gap and Muckross House on Tuesday.

The public were told to avoid the area entirely with alternative routes advised.

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said:“The devastating fire in Killarney National Park is not a natural disaster – it is caused by human activity, not nature.

“For days, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has been battling fires, including incidents believed to have been started by the reckless use of disposable barbecues. This is utterly unacceptable.

“Lighting fires or using disposable barbecues in a National Park or any wild area is not carelessness, it is gross irresponsibility – especially during a heatwave. It is a crime against nature, against local communities and against future generations who have the right to inherit these precious landscapes intact.

“The message is simple: leave these places as you found them or better, and leave no trace. As Minister for Nature, I take a zero-tolerance attitude towards lighting fires in our national parks and wild places. The damage to biodiversity, wildlife, livelihoods and public safety can be – and too often is – catastrophic.

“My heartfelt thanks go to the NPWS staff, firefighters and emergency services who have worked tirelessly, often in extremely difficult conditions, to contain this fire and protect one of Ireland’s greatest natural assets.”