'Conscientious protector' in court for sawing down Coillte trees in West Cork

A 61-year-old grandmother on trial for causing criminal damage by sawing down Coillte trees in West Cork and stealing the wood said she cut Sitka spruce trees because they were destroying biodiversity and acidifying the water.

Sioned Jones said she was one of earth’s protectors, managing part of the forest because of her love for Ireland’s native trees and believed she had the backing of the EU, the UN, and ancient law.