Updated 20.20pm

AFTER AN EXTENSIVE firefight last week, a large portion of Ireland’s eye has been left scorched.

The blaze raged for three days last week, having broke out on the Thursday and continued into last Saturday.

The initial fire was eventually brought under control, with an Air Corps helicopter required to drop water from above, but firefighters subsequently had to return to deal with a second blaze.

Now photos showing the extent of the damage have emerged.

It can be seen that Dublin Fire Brigade were require to extinguish flames on what appears to be almost half of the island’s total surface area.

Anti-social behaviour 

Dublin Bay North TD Tommy Broughan said he asked the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald and the gardaí to dedicate significant resources to the anti-social behaviour.

He commended the gardaí and the firefighters of Kilbarrack, North Strand and other Northside Depots for their vigilant response on these fires.

Minister Fitzgerald confirmed t Broughan that ‘Operation Irene’ commenced at the beginning of this month to tackle anti-social behaviour in public places, in particular during spells of good weather.

She confirmed that an increased garda presence in Howth, at the Pier and Dart Station will be part of Operation Irene.

She also confirmed that “a multiagency approach is being pursued with ongoing liaising between An Garda Síochána, Dart Control, Fingal County Council, the Harbour Master and Íarnród Éireann”.

Operation Irene 

Superintendent Joseph O’Connor of Raheny Garda Station also told Broughan that increased patrols and checkpoints in the vicinity of Howth Harbour and surrounding areas have already commenced.

The gardaí are liaising with the Dublin Fire Brigade regarding the recent fires.

Gorse fires are lit as a way of new grass growth but are banned under the Wildlife Act between 1 March and 31 August. The fires present a particular risk at this time of year due to the dry weather.

Ireland’s Eye is located off the coast of Dublin and is currently uninhabited.

Additional reporting Christina Finn

First published 08.48am

Read: Air Corps helicopter used to drop water on Ireland’s Eye gorse fire

Also: Firefighters continue to battle gorse fire on Ireland’s Eye

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