Illegally felled tree in Athy had an estimated value of €63,000

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

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

It has been revealed that the species of tree is not commonly planted and has an estimated value of €63,000.

Kildare County Council is taking the incident very seriously and is urging anyone with information to come forward Kildare County Council is taking the incident very seriously and is urging anyone with information to come forward The tree is also believed to be over 100 years old, potentially dating back to the park’s opening in the 1860s.

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