Dublin Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon has condemned the sickening arson attack on the Peace Tree sculpture in St Anne’s Park - one of the capital's best loved landmarks.
It's now been established that an accelerant was used to set fire to the beautiful artwork - also known as the Tree of Life - in the early hours of this morning.
Gardai confirmed to Dublin Live that they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the "wanton act of violence" - which came just hours after Dublin Fire Brigade had to battle a tree fire at another north Dublin park, also believed to have been started by anti-social youths.
The Lord Mayor said: "At this stage it’s not known precisely why or when this attack happened, but it appears to have been carried out overnight. An accelerant was used in the attack.
“This is a beautiful sculpture enjoyed by adults and children alike, and I want to condemn this wanton act of vandalism in the strongest possible terms.
“It’s so sad to see something like this happen. I would appeal to anyone with any information to contact the Gardai.”
Cllr Brabazon was echoing the frustration felt by locals including DJ and former Big Brother star Raymond Shah, one of whose Bodyfirst Nutrition stores is just up the road from the scuplture.
The Dubliner said that unlike the move to take down statues to slavers since the Black Life Matters movement began, this sculpture celebrated nothing but beauty in nature.
Ray told Dublin Live: ""It's just soul destroying. If it was symbolic of something that upsets people, or was controversial in any way, that would be one thing, you'd almost understand why it was attacked, but it's not.
"This tree is a beautiful work of art that celebrates the wildlife in the area and brings joy to all who visit it - kids and adults alike.
"I live opposite it and I see how much happiness it brings to people every day with my own eyes.
"I just don't get why anyone would want to do this. It's heartbreaking."
The spectacular sculpture is 10 metres tall, took three years to complete and is a very popular feature of St Anne’s Park as well as a much loved landmark for Dubliners.
The original cyprus tree it was carved from is believed to be somewhere in the region of 200 years old.
There has been a spate of fires deliberately started across the capital in recent weeks. Just today, DFB firefighters from Kilbarrack were required to battle a blaze started by teens next to a housing estate in Portmarnock.
This latest blaze is the fifth to be started deliberately by mindless yobs in the north Dublin coastal village since May.
