Ministers Darragh OâBrien and Malcom Noonan condemn illegal wildfires
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh OâBrien and Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcom Noonan have condemned the illegal wildfires that took place over the weekend in Wicklow Mountains National Park and the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Co Laois, which damaged protected habitats and species, put communities and private property at risk and placed unnecessary additional burden on the emergency services. Minister OâBrien said: âWildfires do not occur naturally in Ireland. The main cause of such conflagrations is thought to be the deliberate starting of fires without concern for the emergency services, the local wildlife, habitat, communities or even private property close by.â