Johnstown residents protest against felling of trees

Furious residents in Johnstown came out in force this afternoon to protest against the cutting down of trees separating their homes and a new development claiming they had no prior warning.

Lisa Gallagher, a resident of the affected Boyne View, said she was stunned to look out of her window this morning to see workmen chopping down the line of healthy trees outside her home, some of which are thought to be 150 years old.

The work is part of the Cois Glaisín development by Glenveagh Homes that is bringing hundreds of new homes to the area. The trees had acted as a boundary separating the two close estates with Boyne View residents claiming they were promised they would be protected and kept informed of developments.

 

The tree felling is believed to be work is part of the Cois Glaisín development by Glenveagh Homes

Lisa says that her family has lost their privacy with their once fully enclosed garden now exposed looking directly out onto the construction site which is accessed from Metges Road. 

"About 10:30 this morning a team of workmen came in and started tearing the trees down. I got no notice even though we were told that no trees would be cut down without talking to us first. I went out and begged them to stop but they ignored me."

"I even got into one of the trees to stop them from cutting it but they just started cutting another tree. I had two tree surgeons out here recently that clarified that they were in perfect condition.

"They have built this new estate right on top of us. We were in agreement initially that they could trim the trees down to about 16ft, if necessary and I was happy once I couldn't see in the windows of the houses opposite.  We said that we wanted the trees left dividing the two estates and they agreed to it. 

"This was a totally enclosed garden but now the trees are gone and I have no privacy left. 

"We are devastated. This has been our home for the last 15 years, we have worked hard for it. My child has a treehouse here and they have destroyed all the trees around it. 

Cllr Alan Lawes describes the move as 'disgusting.'

What's left of the trees outside Lisa Gallagher's home in Boyne View

"When there were issues with the trees originally because Cois Glaisín and Boyne View are so close to each other we met with the company and told them we were worried about cutting the trees down."

Cllr Lawes says their was an "agreement that no trees would be touched but now they had a team of workers with a crane butchering the trees."

"I went over to the workmen and asked them could they stop until I spoke to the foreman but they wouldn't stop so we had no choice than to form some kind of protest and we blocked the site this morning and some of Lisa's family got into the trees to stop them cutting them.

An array of healthy trees were torn down with no warning 

"The damage they have already done is scandalous and detrimental to Lisa and her family.  She has no privacy left along with the people that are buying the homes.

Glenveagh Homes declined to comment on the matter after being contacted by the Meath Chronicle.