Louth councillors voice differing views on No Mow May

Cllr Conor Keelan raised Louth County Council's engagement with the No Mow May policy at the local authority's July meeting, saying that he did not believe that No Mow May has been of great benefit to the town particularly in areas such as cemeteries.

Cllr Keelan said that he believes there is a problem with weeds, in the town and on the approach roads into town and that the policy should be adapted, adding that more tackling of weeds like ragwort, on approach roads to the town needs to be taken.

In response Senior Engineer Mark Johnston said that work was taking place to mechanically remove weeds in the town, with ragwort being included.

He added that the No Mow Policy is one that the Council has engaged with for a number of years, to leave areas to grow wild, saying that in nearly every park they have small areas they allow grow wild as it is good for the all-island pollinator plan it has signed up to.

Cllr Keelan questioned if it was a useful policy in large public cemeteries and in public parks.

In response Chief Executive Joan Martin said that she have a look at it but said that the Council is committed to being part of the national pollinator programme and is taking on a biodiversity officer.

She added that the Council cannot overlook its commitments to climate action and biodiversity and that the Council has to lead by example in terms if its commitment to improving the environment for biodiversity.

Cllr Keelan said that people have complained to his family about No Mow May in the cemeteries and parks and that it was seen by some locals as an excuse to not cut the grass. Cllr Keelan's comments were supported by Cllr Maeve Yore and Cllr John Reilly.

Cllr Liam Reilly offered a different view saying, "I disagree with all the comments made so far. I think its a national issue. We're currently in a major climiate crisis, where we have floods in South Korea, we have rain here every single day in July, and we have the highest temperature recorded on earth.

"No Mow May is a simple thing that we can do individually, local communities can do it. Its not a way to refuse mowing as you can mow then in June."

Cllr Reilly continued, reminding councillors that "this Chamber agreed a biodiversity plan less than 12 months ago in which we said there was No Mow May."He said that for community grants, when applying for them, there is a line that asks, "are you providing for No Mow May?" 

He further added, "I don't agree with councillors saying we shouldn't have it and yet downstairs in the community section we're saying you must have it. It needs to be a joined up thinking process."