Rhododendrons and seagulls - Half-hearted protection is a betrayal

The local chamber of tourism and commerce yesterday organised a “mountain meithal” to try to repel the relentless invasion of rhododendrons choking Killarney’s neglected national park.

Yesterday’s objective was to try to restore the Blue Pool mountain walk to its former glory. The spirit behind the initiative is entirely admirable but it but provokes, yet again, the obvious and increasingly pressing question: Is this work not the legal obligation of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and why is the agency not doing it?