The semi-state forestry company, Coillte, has said that contractors have been "subjected to threats and intimidation locally" while working on a forestry project at Ballycastle, Co. Mayo.

It has not publicly identified who is behind the "threats and intimidation".

However the 12.7 hectare forestry project at Ballycastle has been met with strong opposition in some areas.

Coillte has acknowledged that "concerns" have been raised over the project.

An afforestation licence was granted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine's (DAFM) for the Ballycastle project to Coillte, which is near to the Ballycastle GAA pitch.

This week the Fine Gael Senator, Mark Duffy, told the Seanad that in Ballycastle "the community does not want" the forestry project to go ahead, he also detailed that there are "at least 12 or 13 houses in the immediate vicinity" of the forestry site.

"It is really important that we listen to communities," Senator Duffy said.

Coillte said it was its "understanding" that representatives from the local community had participated in the DAFM public consultation processes in relation to the afforestation project at Ballycastle, Co. Mayo.

Senator Duffy also told the Seanad that he believes there is a "conflict of interest" in relation to the fact that Coillte makes the application to the Department of Agriculture and Food for afforestation licences.

According to Fine Gael councillor, Jarlath Munnelly, when the licence application was first made for the afforestation project at Ballycastle, Co. Mayo "there was a lot of submissions made against it."

Councillor Jarlath Munnelly also highlighted that the impact of Storm Éowyn on forestry in the area had left a "bad taste".

Cllr. Munnelly told Agriland: "Another point then is fire.

Micháel McDonald, who is both a farmer and a member of Ballycastle GAA club, told Agriland that his farm is about 50 yards from the proposed Coillte site, and he has voiced his concerns about the impact of the forestry project.

McDonald also raised concerns around the issue of bovine tuberculosis (TB), and said he believes that the forest project could possibly lead to an increase in numbers of badgers and deer in the area which he claims could leave his farm more at risk from the disease.

He has also claimed that there are environmental risks associated with the forestry project.

"It’s completely not suitable for forestry", he added.

According to Coillte it "understands the importance of community engagement in land use decisions".

It has detailed that "in the case of the afforestation project at Ballycastle, Co. Mayo, Coillte and its contractors followed the afforestation licence process as set out by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)".

Coillte also outlined that "this is a rigorous process with multiple stages of public consultation for people to share their views".

It has also confirmed that "planting at Ballycastle commenced with up to half of the site already planted by contractors from the local community".

"Regrettably, these contractors have recently been subjected to threats and intimidation locally for carrying out work that is licence-approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine," it stated.

According to Coillte the 12.7 hectares afforestation project at Ballycastle, Co. Mayo comprises "a mixture of productive conifer trees and native tree species" and is part of its commitment to "sustainable forestry and climate action".

"Coillte and its local contractor have followed the regulatory and consultation processes in good faith and Coillte remains committed to this project," the semi-state forestry company added.