Giant Hogweed Menace

With the recent warm weather and showers many areas of Newry are covered in Giant Hogweeds, a plant that is dangerous to touch.

Reader David Hanna contacted Newry.ie to point out an outbreak of the invasive plant at the bus shelter opposite Daisy Hill Hospital and warn parents to tell their children to avoid it. "I would hate for kids to fall into it waiting on a bus, or dogs to sniff them and rub their noses against it"

Mr Hanna added "If you touch it (including the leaves) you'll be into Daisy Hill A&E yourself. It takes away the skins resistance to UV and can scar for life."

A grass area on Catherine Street beside Our Lady's School is also particularly badly hit this year. In fact the weed is encroaching so much on to the pavement at one spot you have to virtually walk on to the road to avoid it!

Giant hogweed can soar up to 15' and contain sap which irritates skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Symptoms are usually noticeable within 24 hours and include blistering and swelling on the skin, which may be made worse by over-exposure to the sun.

Once the plant flowers each flower head can produce up to 50,000 seeds so it can quickly take over an area in a few short years.

If you come into contact with it, cover the affected area immediately to avoid exposure to the sun. Wash the area with cold water. If blistering occurs or the contact was with the eyes, you should seek medical advice.