High Court orders Galway City Council to pause tree felling at Merlin Woods
Galway City Council was ordered by the High Court to pause tree felling at Merlin Woods, a forest on the outskirts of the city, after Tom Flynn was granted a temporary injunction on 5 October 2026 on behalf of Friends of Merlin Woods. The council had begun felling works in response to damage caused by Storm Éowyn in January 2025, with a project to fell 15.41 hectares of the woodland. Friends of Merlin Woods allege the council is engaged in the unlawful removal of trees, and the council has already cleared about 3.5 hectares. Judge Richard Humphreys indicated the case could return the following week.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court5 Oct
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Friends of Merlin Woods allege the council is engaged in the unlawful removal of trees from Merlin Woods.
- Where
- Merlin Woods is a forest on the outskirts of Galway city.
- When
- The temporary injunction was granted on 5 October 2026.
- Cause
- The council ordered the felling in response to damage caused by Storm Éowyn in January 2025.
- Other details
- The project is to fell 15.41 hectares of Merlin Woods, almost half of the entire woodland.
- The council has already cleared about 3.5 hectares of woodland.
- The council plans to replant native trees at the impacted area.
- In court
- Tom Flynn was granted a temporary injunction on behalf of Friends of Merlin Woods, ordering the council to stop felling works.
- Judge Richard Humphreys said the case could return the following week.
8 statements extracted from the articles
- causeThe council ordered the felling in response to damage caused by Storm Éowyn in January 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe High Court ordered Galway City Council to pause tree felling at a forest on the outskirts of the city (irishtimes.com)
- courtTom Flynn was granted a temporary injunction on Monday on behalf of Friends of Merlin Woods (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Richard Humphreys said the case could return the following week (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe project is to fell 15.41 hectares of Merlin Woods, almost half of the entire woodland (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe council has already cleared about 3.5 hectares of woodland (irishtimes.com)
- otherFriends of Merlin Woods allege the council is engaged in the unlawful removal of trees from the forest (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe council plans to replant native trees at the impacted area (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Oct2026Galway City Council ordered to pause tree felling by High Court
High Court granted a temporary injunction to Friends of Merlin Woods, ordering Galway City Council to stop felling works at Merlin Woods. Judge Richard Humphreys indicated the case could return the following week.
victim, Tom Flynn, male, irish (judged from name)Tom Flynn