FINGAL County Council has called for an end to anti-social behaviour at one of its top tourist attractions.
The council said there have been several incidents of anti-social behaviour in recent weeks at Malahide Castle and Demesne.
It said fires have been lit and substantial damage caused to a number of trees within the woodlands. Kevin Halpenny, Senior Parks Superintendent at the council, told Northside People: “Over the last couple of weeks our operations staff have had to extinguish a number of fires in the woodland which were caused by anti-social behaviour.
“We have discussed this matter with An Garda Siochána and have adopted a best practice approach to dealing with this problem.
“This has involved a relatively small amount of standing deadwood being removed from the woodland in the Demesne.
“In any area of woodland, particularly dense woodland with low levels of light at ground level, a certain amount of trees especially young trees growing below the main canopy of the woodland will die. In addition, the lower branches of some trees which cannot reach the light will die.
“This deadwood will become dry even though it may be standing upright in the woodland or attached to living trees.
“This material, because it is so dry and conveniently available, is often used illegally to light fires in the woodland.
“These fires are regularly lit under or even up against other healthy trees thus causing serious damage to these trees and often pose significant health and safety hazards for people using the woodland.
“The removal of this material as necessary is part of any good practice approach to woodland management and to protecting the woodland and park users alike.”
Mr Halpenny said that contrary to local reports, the work currently being carried out by council staff is not related to the proposed Forest Adventure Park at Malahide Castle and Demesne.
“The current work is about woodland management and minimising the opportunity for those involved in anti-social behaviour to light fires and cause serious damage to the woodland,” he added.
“The recent anti-social behaviour within the woodland is extremely disappointing but one of the major benefits of the proposed Forest Adventure Park is that it will lead to a better appreciation of the woodland.”
Separately, Cllr Larry O’Toole (SF) has condemned an act of vandalism in which six trees were cut down at Priorswood Park last Friday week, August 27.
“Six trees were cut down in an act of mindless vandalism – three oak, one maple and two crab apple,” said Cllr O’Toole.
“The oak was about 25-years-old. They were all cut down with a handsaw. This vandalism is an attack not only on the trees but on the entire community whom the park and its amenities they share.”
