An environmental group have been left 'very frustrated' with a lack of communication from South Dublin County Council over tree removal works being carried out in Tymon Park.
A petition was started by local group Friends of Tymon Park, who said that they were "dismayed and alarmed" over the felling of trees and the clearing of forest area adjacent to the National Basketball Arena.
The Friends of Tymon Park group was formed in 2019 and they regularly help clean the park.
In an email seen by Dublin Live, the group told the Council they were concerned that the removal of trees will have a negative impact wildlife habitats.
They wrote: "The seclusion of this forest has created an ideal habitat for many species of wildlife and birds, and we appeal to all who love our park to write to your local TDs and Councillors to call a halt to this work, and to demand remedial work to regenerate this, and other forest areas within the park as natural wildlife sanctuaries.
"This is also a favoured hunting ground for sparrowhawks. In addition, many of our more sensitive bird species have been observed here, such as goldcrest, wren, saskin, blackcap, rodwing, chiffchaff, other warblers and other species. The destruction of this avenue of trees has removed an invaluable wildlife corridor.
"The trees also act as a filter against noise pollution from the M50 motorway not only for the wildlife, but for all park users on the Tymon North side."
Speaking to Dublin Live, Brian MacCormaic from Friends of Tymon Park said that the group previously had a good working relationship with the council, but they were disappointed over a lack of communication over recent works.
He said: "It's been over a week since we sent the letter of complaint to the council.
"Trees have been cut down and the work has left a three metre gap between the railings and trees now, and they've also cut a four metre gap into the hedgerow that is destroying the habitat for wildlife.
"You can see claw marks where a badger sett was beside where they were doing the works, I went over to them and said 'can you please not do anymore work because there's a badger set' and in fairness to the workers they stopped."
Brian said that it is "very frustrating" for the Friends of Tymon Park that they have not received clear communication from the council or a response to their letter.
"It's a great community and we had good communication with the depot and people of all ages joining us to do clean-ups in the park every month," he added.
In a statement to Dublin Live, South Dublin County Council confirmed that approximately 20 trees were found to be 'dead or dying' and were removed from the site, with replacement trees to be planted at a later date.
A spokesman said: "The pruning and removal of some trees in the woodland area of Tymon Park near the basketball arena and adjacent to the M50 was required due to a number of trees that were found to be dead or dying, and also a number of trees were found to have split or damaged trunks which required attention.
"Somewhere in the region of 20 trees were removed and all were either dead or diseased, the removal of these trees was therefore both necessary and appropriate. This type of woodland maintenance is good practice and will help to ensure the health of the woodland into the future.
"The hedge trimming work carried out in the same area of the park was also routine and good practice, hedges in the park are trimmed once every three years and this is required to ensure the continued good health of the hedgerows.
"In some cases the hedges and brambles have been cut back and interplanted with new hedging. All of this work has been done within the period allowed by the Wildlife Act, that is from Sept 1 to Feb 28.
"This work is done using a tractor mounted flail, it is not possible for the Council to cut hedges using handheld hedge trimmers due to the large volume of hedges which we cut each year in parks, around open spaces and along public roads and footpaths.
"There is no running or cycle track being developed in the park, this is not the reason for the work that has been carried out.
"The Council is satisfied that no habitats have been destroyed and no badger setts have been damaged while carrying out the work.
"Replacement planting of trees will take place in the park in due course. Some hedgerows have been strengthened by interplanting with new hedging in some places."
The petition to protect wildlife habitats in Tymon Park can be accessed here.
To get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our free newsletter
