Damage to some recently planted trees at IDA park

A number of trees which were planted recently at the IDA Business & Technology Park in Garrycastle, Athlone, as part of a major initiative have already been damaged.

IDA Ireland staff planted 2,500 native Irish trees and shrubs on an unused plot, which was formerly the site of a workers' compound, next to the business park in Garrycastle last month and two dozen of these trees are located along the border beside the road. Of the two dozen on the main avenue, three of these trees have been broken and two have been almost completely uprooted, although the new pathway is still not open to the public.

A local, who wishes not to be identified, said while the IDA park was never an empty, stony compound and the tree-lined avenues have been used by walkers and especially dog walkers for years, the new tree-planting initiative is certainly welcomed. However, the

However, the woman, who lives near the park, remarked that it was “very upsetting” to see the trees already broken after being planted recently.

The Athlone resident first noticed the trees were broken last week and said there could be an “anti-social element” to the incident.