200-year-old oak to be knocked for road safety

ONE man’s campaign to save a 200-year-old oak tree in Killarney has failed.

For almost two years, Independent councillor Donal Grady battled against a proposal by Killarney Town Council to fell the tree so as to make way for road improvements.

However, he failed to find a seconder for his proposal at Monday night’s council meeting.

Mr Grady, who previously threatened to chain himself to the tree, said yesterday: “I’ve done my best, but didn’t get the support I needed on the council. It’s a pity as I’ve always believed work on the road could be carried out without interfering with the tree.” He was supported by Catherine McMullin, of An Taisce (Kerry), who said the tree was of considerable amenity value.

“It would be desirable to design the road works so that it can be retained by leaving it in the centre of the roundabout,” she wrote in a letter to the council.

Engineers had come up with four proposals for the road, all of which involved the removal of the tree.

Town engineer David Doyle said the tree interfered with sight lines on all approaches to the junction concerned.

Also, he felt the shedding of leaves from the tree would create a very slippery road surface.

“While this tree is of considerable amenity value, the safety of road users and pedestrians at this location must be given priority,” Mr Doyle stated.

He was also concerned about the large number of heavy goods vehicles using the road to the retail park, stating that the current state of the exit made it difficult for them to manoeuvre. On the proposal of South Kerry Independent Alliance councillor Michael Gleeson, the council agreed to go ahead with a roundabout which would result in the removal of the tree.

Some councillors claimed it was also important to provide proper footpaths, pedestrian crossings and public lighting in the area, which contains a number of housing estates, government offices, Tesco and Aldi supermarkets and several other shops.

Donal Grady, meanwhile, said the tree was in an excellent condition and it would be a disgrace to knock it. He also believed alternative land could be acquired for a roundabout.