PHOTOS: Shock in Kildare as rare 100-year-old tree is chopped down

Kildare County Council is appealing for public assistance regarding the unauthorised felling of a century-old tree in The Peoples Park Athy, last week.

The tree, a mature Coastal Redwood (Seqouia sempervirens) stood approximately 40ft (13m) tall and was cut down in the early hours of Monday, January 27, possibly between 4-5am. 

A Council statement added: "This species is not commonly planted and has an estimated value of approximately €63, 000.  

"The tree is believed to be over 100 years old, potentially dating back to the Park’s opening in the 1860s. 

"We urge  any members of the public who may have witnessed the felling  or noticed any suspicious activity in the park, on the night of Sunday 26th January, into the early hours of Monday  27th January, to report this to Athy Garda Station at 059 8634210 or email for the attention of Superintendent, Kildare District at  Kildare.districtoffice@garda.ie."

Earlier this week, Cllr Mark Leigh condemned the 'bizarre act of vandalism'.

He said: "This is public property in a public place and nobody has the "right" to cut down a tree in this manner, not to mention the obvious dangers to themselves."

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