Bees rehomed after swarming onto a Dromore chimney

The resident, a mother of a young child, was frantic to get rid of the bees as some were coming down into her home and the baby had got stung.

The mother contacted the council who were unable to help but in an exceptional chain of events, the bees were eventually rehomed.

Councillor Paul Rankin made contact with the Dromore Beekeepers’ Association through Gillian McMurran of Dromore High School. Gillian contacted Dr Patrick Lundy, the secretary of Dromore Beekeepers Association, and he e-mailed the committee to see if anyone could help. Carol Walsh, one of the newest members, responded and called at the house. She knew she could remove the bees, but due to the height of the chimney was not prepared to work from a ladder. The young mother then contacted the housing executive, who got in touch with TK Murphy Contractors and they agreed to send a cherry -picker.

Carol, with the help of another beekeeper, Hazel Barr, met up with the cherry-picker operator Luke on the evening of Friday, June 20.

They brought a bee-suit for Luke and the three of them proceeded to remove the swarm. The bees were docile and black in colour, probably Native Irish dark bees, but there were no clues as to where they had come from.

Councillor Paul Rankin also called in on his way back from football training.

The Bees are now happily working in Hazel’s apiary, near Hillsborough.