Vandals cause £1,500 damage to ten trees

June 1995

VANDALS have destroyed 10 semi-mature trees, planted by Castleisland Development Association, in the car park in the town, costing in excess of £1,500.

The damage occurred on Tuesday night, May 23, when unknown vandals completely destroyed the trees in the car park. Castleisland Gardai told The Kerryman that they are following a definite line of enquiry.

Castleisland Development Association Chairwoman, Sheila Hannon, said she was disgusted at what she called the ‘mindless violence’ that has occurred.

“Those trees were planted in the car park three months ago as part of the Urban Renewal Scheme in the area. They were planted as semi-mature trees and they cost £1,500 to buy and plant,” she said.

She said she was disgusted to see them being destroyed in such a way.

“They are damaged beyond repair. It is not just branches that are broken, all of the trees are broken in half. All that is remaining is a small stub of each tree,” she said.

“It is hard to know what to do in a situation like this. I am so disgusted. The people in the area are very upset with what has happened. At the moment, I do not know if we will be in a position to replace the trees,” she said.

The planting of the trees was part of an overall Urban Renewal Scheme for Castleisland. Members of the Castleisland Development Association together with Kerry County Council Architect, Deirdre O’Sullivan, prepared plans for the improvement of the town’s overall appearance.

“The vandalising of these trees is pure mindless violence. Who is to say that it will not happen again. We could spend another £1,500 on more trees and the same thing might happen again,” she said.

Mrs Hannon has appealed for anyone who saw anything going on in the car park on the night to contact the gardaí.

“If they are caught, the gardai can only bring them to court. After that, they could walk free. The people who carried out this vandalism are not children — children would no be strong enough to break these trees,” she said.

“I would like to see someone coming forward with some information. Looking at what happened, you would almost feel like crying. It would greatly upset you,” she said.