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County forest fires the 'worst in years'

Forest fires - People burning furze
Forest fires - People burning furze

The emergency services have described a spate of forest fires as the worst they have seen for many years.

The fires in Connacht, Leinster and Ulster have now been brought under control.

The Fire Service says the outbreaks have caused significant damage to wildlife in recent days.

Heavy overnight rain in many parts of the country helped firefighters get all the blazes under control.

There were as many as 20 bog and forest fires in the south and east of Co Galway.

Fire services say the likely cause of the fires was people burning furze off the land, combined with the dry weather.

Elsewhere, a large forest fire on the Carlow/Wexford border has been brought under control.

The blaze broke out yesterday afternoon on Mount Leinster, beginning at Nine Stones and spreading to Gary Hill.

Meanwhile, another fire that broke out yesterday on a bog near Hacketstown in Co Carlow has been brought under control.

Firefighters have also wound down their operation at a State owned forestry site near Scotstown in Co Monaghan.