Anger over the construction of a cycle path in Ballyraine in Letterkenny escalated to Donegal County Council staff being abused while working, the council has heard.
Staff were reportedly subjected to verbal abuse and intimidation last night as they cut down eight maple trees for the active travel scheme.
Anger was directed towards staff on social media.
Cllr Donal Coyle has said the abuse of workers cannot be condoned and he was informed that there was “quite a number” of people in the vicinity as staff worked.
The matter was discussed at today’s meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, where Cllr Coyle and other representatives questioned why works took place at 10pm at night.
The clearing of trees at Ballyraine has stirred widespread debate in recent weeks as community campaigners seek to preserve a 90-year-old oak tree near Orchard Grove. A petition to save the tree has gathered almost 1,200 signatures.
Councillors were assured there are no immediate plans to fell this tree, but after considering all the options, it is likely to be removed to make way for the infrastructure. Thirty-two trees are due to be planted to replace those cut down.
Ballyraine Oak Tree
The meeting also heard that the nighttime works were carried out yesterday on health and safety grounds.
“Whoever decided at 10pm last night to cut the trees, it sends out a wrong message on behalf of Donegal County Council,” Cllr Ciaran Brogan said, calling for more transparency.
Roads Engineer David McElwaine commented that there were no underhand reasons for last night’s works: “To carry out those works involves closing off the footpath and a carriageway lane and to do that during the day wasn’t possible. It was purely on health and safety grounds and traffic management.
“Our staff are only doing the work they are instructed to do. It is not fair for them to be abused trying to do a day’s work. We would hope people would understand that.”
€100,000 was allocated to the Letterkenny- Milford MD to carry out the advance works for the next stage of the N56 Letterkenny Urban Active Travel project, which also includes signalised junctions at both the Ballyraine and Creamery roundabouts.
The works began in September. While the maple trees at Ballyraine Park were included in the early programme, the oak tree will remain for now.
The health of the oak tree was called into question by Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly, who said he heard on the ground that it may be wounded.
Seeking clarity, Cllr Kelly said: “I was told that an oak tree grows up, this one grows out. Is it the case this tree is in perfect condition, or is it the case that this tree eventually will be hazardous and will have to come down?”
Cllr Kelly was told that the council is seeking advice from tree surgeons on the condition of the tree.
The local authority also said it was willing to meet with concerned residents following receipt of a report on the tree’s health.
Campaigners have stapled messages into the Ballyraine Oak Tree
The council said it also plans to liaise with the community on the most suitable reuse of the oak tree. A written report said that the current project design leaves no other option but to remove the tree and that the course of action was done with extensive consultation and “was not taken lightly”.
The council outlined plans for alternative uses of the trunk and truck sections “as well as any other possible initiatives to preserve or continue its memory”. There is potential for the council to work together with the local school and men’s shed to create public benches, planters etc.
Plus, acorns from the tree could be harvested and replanted in the local area and offered to residents.
Councillors were told that the project at Ballyraine, when completed, will see 32 semi-mature trees (including 10 oak trees), 55 shrubs and hundreds of wildflowers added to the area along with raised planters and five park benches. There will be a “particular focus on providing a net gain with regards to biodiversity impact”, said the report.
Councillors stressed the importance of continued engagement with the local community.
“We have an obligation to meet with the residents,” said Cllr Ciaran Brogan, calling for a closer look at the Part 8 documents. “We have to be open and honest and transparent about the whole process.”