COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
QUESTION NO. 9
QUESTION: Councillor E. Ó Broin
To ask the chief Executive to provide a report on the recent clear felling of trees and hedges around the ruin of St Cuthbert’s Church in Deansrath.
REPLY:
Works to for the removal of trees and vegetation in the area of St. Cuthbert Church was carried out on 18th and 19th May 2026. The works were completed as part of a wider Garda operation where Gardaí at Clondalkin Garda Station, assisted by Detective Gardaí from Serious Crime South, the DMR (West) Divisional Search Team and National Support Services, including the Dog Unit and Mounted Unit. The operation targeted the use of the park in the sale and supply of controlled drugs, linked to organised crime and anti-social behaviour.
The tree and vegetation removal works carried out in the area consisted of the removal of 36 trees. A comprehensive tree survey was conducted prior to works and was presented as part of the Part 8 Planning file for the St Cuthberts Park Masterplan. The removal list consisted of Fraxinus/Ash, Ulmus/Elm, and Acer/Sycamore that were formally assessed as dead, diseased, or in poor health. No Yew trees were present on the site, and consequently, no Yew removal occurred. A number of trees selected for retention underwent crown lifting to improve visibility and sightlines across the area. Dense ground growth—consisting of scrub, nettles, and briars immediately adjacent to the church ruins—was cleared by hand with great care not to disturb headstones or other features.
The works were fully authorised under the existing Part 8 Planning Permission for the site. While Section 40 of the Wildlife Act generally restricts vegetation clearance during the bird nesting season, an explicit legal exemption applies to works authorised under planning permission and site clearance. It had been the Council's original intention to execute these works entirely outside of the bird nesting season. However, due to previous intimidation of the Council’s contractor and the nature of the Garda operation, the works programme was altered.
On the day of the operation, following a detail Garda search of the area, physical/on-the-ground checks of all trees for active bird nests was completed immediately prior to making any cuts. Active bird nests were identified within the ivy growing directly on the church walls. Consequently, the ivy was left completely untouched. A qualified archaeologist monitored all physical works on site to ensure total compliance with the approved archaeological method statement, safeguarding the historical integrity of the St Cuthbert's ruin. On 19th May SDCC deployed a large crew to remove substantial volumes of litter from around the monument. Gardai remained on site for the duration of the works.
The works were very well received by local residents and park users and we have achieved the views of the church and moat envisaged by the St Cuthberts Park Masterplan.