‘We are on our knees after this ... we need help’

The owner of one of the country’s leading commercial tree nurseries has pleaded for state support for the sector after storm damage brought his business “to its knees”.

Ronan Nangle, who runs specialist tree nursery firm, Nangle & Niesen Ltd, in Aherla, about 24km from Cork City, said the crop at his 100-acre nursery has been devastated by Monday’s hurricane-force winds.

They also lost power and he said he fears more damage from Storm Brian.