'Rats as big as cats' in Mayo storage yard
The rats have made their home under timber that came down during Storm Eowyn.
A Mayo councillor has said "rats as big as cats" have made their home in a council yard.
Cllr Blackie Gavin said Mayo County Council is storing timber and wood that came down during Storm Éowyn in a yard in Castlebar. He said the bundles of timber have become "rat's nests" with the rodents making their home under the discarded wood.
"Some of the rats are as big as cats," Cllr Gavin told the monthly meeting of the council.
He said he had previously requested that the wood be distributed to elderly people in the community but the local authority refused.
"I don't really understand why," said Cllr Gavin, adding that it was "scandalous" that the council approach has now caused a vermin problem.
Cllr Gavin was speaking after councillors supported a motion from Cllr John O'Malley calling on the Government to rethink planning regulations banning open fires from new homes.
