Prosecution possible after illegal felling of ancient Donegal woodland, Department says

The Department of Agriculture has said that it could yet prosecute an east Donegal landowner after an ancient woodland was illegally felled.

In recent days, the Department has ordered that trees be replanted in an area of Avaltygort, Crossroads, Killygordon.

The wooded area of up to 2 acres, the majority of which comprises native century-old broadleafs, is known locally as ‘The Island’ and is on privately owned land.

In late 2024, concern was expressed after the apparent deforestation of the area without the necessary licence being in place.

Now, the Department has issued a replanting order to the landowner and has said that its pursuing of the matter could lead to a prosecution.

“There was a Cease and Desist letter issued to the landowner, which outlined that the felling of these trees may be in contravention of the Forestry Act 2014, thus rendering them potentially liable for prosecution,” a spokesperson for the Department said.

“Following further investigation, a draft Replanting Order was issued to the landowner in January 2026, requiring either the affected land to be replanted by June 2026 or the submission of an alternative replanting proposal to the Department by February 2026. 

“The Department will continue to pursue the matter as per our procedures and according to the provisions of the Forestry Act, potentially leading to prosecution”.

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Previously, the Department confirmed to Donegal Live that no valid tree felling licence was in place.

A regional inspector was assigned to lead the probe and a subsequent site inspection was carried out by Department officials.

One local, who submitted a complaint to the Department, described the area as an ‘enchanted wood’ and added: “It was a place of fantasy for local kids, full of paths, hills and high trees.

“It was a beautiful, quiet, safe place, but now it has been destroyed. It's sad to see what's been allowed to happen. A lot of locals are very angry about it."