THE final report regarding the disappearance of trees from Cratlagh Woods during a road realignment scheme on the Milford to Carrigart Road will be finished before the end of the year.

Speaking at this week's Council meeting Mr John McLaughlin, Director of Roads, said that the Council had been investigating the Cratlagh Woods matter for some time.

'EXTENSIVE PROFITS'

The main thrust of the allegations is that a significant number of trees have gone missing from the job; that Council employees were involved in the disposal of timber from the job and made extensive profits and that an 'influential figure' in the political system may have bought timber from the job.

Subsequent newspaper reports last year also alleged that some hardwood was sold for refurbishment of pubs in places as far away as London, that locals and others were denied access to cutting and selling off the tree stock and that the total value of timber sold was in the order of 250,000 euro.

A draft report was produced earlier this year and as a result of it, further investigations were conducted.

'NEARLY COMPLETE'

"Those investigations are nearly complete. At this time, it is expected that the final report will be finished by the end of the year. It's a sensitive issue," Mr McLaughlin said.

Cllr Liam Blaney, who raised the issue, said the mater had been in the public domain since September 2005.

"The reason I've raised it now is that some people think that the Council have swept this issue under the carpet and this is to let them know otherwise," Cllr Blaney said.