Galway City Council has made an official complaint to Gardaí over the felling of five healthy trees in Salthill Park, which are believed to have been at least sixty years old.
Garda and Council investigations are ongoing into the felling, which is understood to have been carried out by a private contractor on the instructions of a local resident.
It’s understood the local authority will be pursuing a prosecution for criminal damage and illegal felling of trees – the penalty for which can include imprisonment for up to two years.
The Council is also expected to pursue the matter in the civil courts, seeking substantial costs for the damage and the replacement of the trees.
“We are not letting this go,” a Council spokesperson this week, adding that officials are in discussions with their law agents on how to proceed with the case.
He added that the trees had been inspected by an arborist several years ago and were found to be “perfectly fine”.
The resident in question had approached the Council to discuss if the trees could be cut down, but “absolutely no” permission was granted.
It’s understood that the legal title to Salthill Park stipulates that residents of Dalysfort Road have to be consulted on any proposed changes to the park.
Locals were horrified last Saturday morning to find a crew of workmen cutting the trees, which are on the hill at the rear of the park, adjacent to Park Avenue.
Gardaí confirmed a formal complaint had been received from the Council.
For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune
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