Galway sheep farmer Aidan Mullins said he feels "major relief" after his fencing that was destroyed by fallen trees during Storm Éowyn has now been replaced by Coillte after much delay.

Mullins from Kilconnell, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway has two fields that he uses to let sheep out into, one of which is directly across the road from Coillte forestry.

During Storm Éowyn, some of the trees fell, which the farmer said damaged fencing and a stone wall at the perimeter of his field.

Mullins contacted Coillte immediately after the damage, but was left waiting until this week, when the fencing was replaced on Tuesday, April 8.

Mullins had followed up with Coillte during the delayed period as he was at "the peak" of lambing at the time, and told Coillte staff that he needed the fence to be put up by March 14, at the latest.

"I have most of the lambing done now and both fields are full, but you can imagine that during one of the busiest times, when you're elbow-deep in work, dealing with something like that is not ideal," Mullins said.

Following the clean-up of trees and fencing, Mullins said that Coillte did "a great job" when staff did arrive and that he would "never have been able" to clear off the debris as swiftly as it was done.

Storm Éowyn caused unprecedented damage to forests across the country, according to Coillte. It is estimated that approximately 24,000ha of forestry (approximately 40 million trees) was significantly damaged with about 50% of that damage to Coillte forests.

While Mullins is "glad to have it over", he told Agriland: "My struggle is over, but for others it might only be starting".

Mullins added that he hopes other farmers get the same treatment "quickly" for reparations due to storm damage.