Trees destroyed after illegal encampment arrives in Athy
The remains of the trees at Aughaboura, Athy
RESIDENTS in Athy have had to contend with illegal encampments in recent times, according to local councillors.
It has been claimed that grazing horses associated with the encampment have destroyed trees planted as a sound barrier along the Southern Distributor Road at Aughraboura.
Cllr Mark Leigh raised the issue the most recent meeting of Athy Municipal District.
The Labour Party councillor brought forward a motion at the meeting where he proposed that Kildare County Council replants trees.
Acting senior parks and landscaping officer at the council Simon Wallace issued the council’s report which stated that there are no resources available in the parks section’s budget for replanting the trees. The report added that the matter would have to be discussed with the council’s road design section.
Cllr Leigh expressed his disappointment with the council’s response, saying that the destruction of the trees “was entirely foreseeable once horses were allowed to graze illegally on the site without sufficient enforcement being maintained”.
Cllr Leigh said that the presence of the horses is in breach of Athy’s bye-laws.
The councillor added that the residents of Aughraboura have had to deal with “a significant amount” in recent times including illegal encampments and “ongoing issues related to horses”.
Cllr Aoife Breslin supported the motion and said that the residents have “suffered” and that another caravan with horses has recently arrived at Aughraboura.
Cllr Veralouise Behan supported the motion and said that trees need to be better maintained than what has been the case at Aughraboura.
Senior executive officer for transport, mobility and open spaces at the council Mark McLoughlin was present alongside Mr Wallace at the meeting and said “when the core problem has not been resolved, (replanting trees) seems like a waste of money to me”.
Cllr Leigh noted that the council did install a barrier to prevent encampments, but those responsible “cut the lock and actually dug away the barrier”.
