COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 09, 2024

QUESTION NO.51

QUESTION: Councillor N. Whelan

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on reports of tree vandalism in the past 12 months, if there are plans to replace these trees and are there any steps being considered to prevent this type of vandalism

REPLY:

SDCC manages and maintains in excess of 60,000 street trees in the county, since May 2023 there have been 183 reports of vandalism to trees. Vandalism can refer to the illegal pruning or felling of existing trees or the damage to newly planted specimens.

In the majority of cases these trees are listed for replacement, however in areas of sustained and repeated vandalism often an alternative is investigated to ensure local groups can benefit from the panting of trees but the vandalism of the specimens is kept to an absolute minimum.  

In instances where proof may be available that the tree was targeted and vandalised, information is gathered and presented to an Garda Siochana.