Metal Christmas tree sinks into Shannon

LIMERICK’S accident-prone metal Christmas tree, designated to be a permanent river feature in the Shannon near the city centre, keeled over yesterday.

Plans to light it green for St Patrick’s Day were up in the air last night as efforts were made to lift it from the river.

The tree was placed in the river for Christmas 2007 and has been there since. Standing 100ft high, it was made from metal waste when the old Thomond Park was dismantled.

Speedline Engineering in Moyross carried out most of the structural work on the tree.

Laura Ryan of the Limerick Co-ordination Office said: “I have been in contact with the city council to see where we go from here. The tree was retained on the river to be an attraction. It was planned to light it green for St Patrick’s Day and to light it red when Munster are playing at Thomond Park. At other times of the year, it was intended to light in various colours.

“The plan is to keep it on the river as it would be very expensive to store, given its size and using it with different colours during the year is a very cost-effective way of retaining it.”

Last year the tree was swept down river by huge floods.

It was saved from being washed down into the estuary when it struck the Shannon Bridge, which stopped it in its tracks.

A huge crane recovered the stricken metal structure which was replaced at its perch at Howley’s Quay.

Its currently difficulties arose when a pump used to keep it buoyant broke down.