‘Destruction’ of mature trees at Columb Barracks causes anger

The felling of mature trees at Columb Barrack shows that the state has a “complete disregard” for its heritage and the soldiers that served there, a well known army veteran has said.

It is believed that the trees, which were located around the parade ground, were cut down last week as part of the ongoing work to provide temporary accommodation for International Protection applicants and refugees.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, retired Regimental Sergeant Major Noel O'Callaghan said that army veterans and their families were deeply upset when the news emerged that the trees were cut down.

“Some of the trees were planted in the early 70s. They were cedar trees like those in Lebanon. There is a long standing history between Lebanon and the Defence Forces. The trees were an important link not just to the past but to the present.

“It is sad to see them chopped down. I don't know why they couldn't have been built around,” said Mr O'Callaghan, who completed four tours of duties in the middle eastern country.

He also said that an investigation into who sanctioned the cutting down of the trees has to be carried out.

“Either the trees were cut legally with the permission of the government - national or local - or they were cut illegally and the authorities have to take action.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, the Mayor of Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District Cllr Hazel Smyth of the Green Party said that she was “surprised by the uproar” among people when news emerged that the trees had been cut down.

“There has been a lot of upset about it. It is nesting season and they also have such an aesthetic value as well. For these to be cut with apparently no notice at all is desparate.

“It is totally the wrong time of the year and I think that technically it is illegal to cut down mature trees like these unless there is a legitimate reason.

“It is completely wrong: we should be planting more trees not chopping them down. They have been there for years and so much value for lots of different reasons.”

In a statement released last Friday, the Columb Barracks Restoration and Regeneration Committee said that its members had witnessed the “destruction”.

The Westmeath Examiner contacted the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth, the government department tasked with overseeing the provision of IP accommodation at the barracks, for a comment but at the time of going to press had not received a response.