A seasonal Garda operation to prevent raids on isolated Christmas tree farms will get underway from today, as growers anticipate record demand for festive firs.
Operation Hurdle - a hugely-successful initiative involving nighty air patrols, high-visibility checkpoints and armed support units - will run up until December 19 in Co. Wicklow, which is home to Ireland’s largest concentration of Christmas tree plantations.
The news that the operation has been given the green light has been welcomed by growers, a number of who are reporting unprecedented demand for Christmas trees.