Protests in a Dublin suburb are underway as the local council threatens to chop down their trees.
Skerries in North County Dublin has seen plans by Fingal County Council to axe the distinctive trees that line Thomas Hand Street and Church Street respectively.
This, the Council claims, is due to damage to the footpath by the tree roots and they have said they intend on planting new trees to replace them.
But residents claim this has happened before - and that no trees replaced the ones that were chopped.
Shane Holland, an environmental activist and Skerries resident has said he plans to do everything possible to prevent it.
He said: “I totally oppose any culling of these trees even if there is issues with the concrete pavement. Three trees at the start of Church St are up for the chop.
“People should lobby for proper fixing of the ground not the chopping of trees in this area.
“I got notice of this last week but with the elections, it was impossible to chat to the right people about it over the weekend or even on Monday.”
Outside Mr Holland’s house in 2008, a tree was removed after being hit by a car. Fingal County Council said that the tree would be replaced, but it never was.
He added: “The Fingal chainsaw crew were contacted by Gardai and the tree was cut down that day even though the tree was relatively unharmed and suffered a slight tilt.
“I asked what will happen next. I was told ‘don’t worry it will be replaced'. This is still not replaced 11 years later.
“We want these trees in the town to help keep our kids healthy, as well as everything else.”
Newly elected Green Party man Joe O’Brien said he has contacted Fingal County Council to stop the cutting but has received no confirmation yet.
Volunteers that are standing by trees have said the reaction from the public has been excellent.
One said: “There’s people stopping to ask what we’re doing and everyone has been behind us.
“People have fond memories of the trees in the town and don’t want to see them needlessly taken down.”
Meanwhile in Loughshinny, which is only five minutes from Skerries, residents say that their footpaths are damaged but “the council couldn’t care less”.
Caroline Reid, who lives in Loughshinny, said she’s worried about someone tripping and getting hurt.
She told the Irish Mirror: “The paths here are getting worse and worse but there’s never anything done.
“There’s a playschool beside where the paths are worst affected so you’d have to worry about the kids.
“It’s only a matter of time before someone trips and hurts themselves but there’s nothing being done about it now. The Council couldn’t care less about it.”
Fingal County Council have been contacted for comment.
