Residents at ‘wits end’ over council inaction

A GROUP of locals say they are at their ‘wits end’ due to issues with trees outside their homes.

Residents of Thorndale Crescent in Artane say they are frustrated at Dublin City Council’s ‘inaction’ in dealing with the trees on their street.

Rita O’Keeffe, who with her husband John has lived on the street for 43 years, told Northside People that everyone on the street is fearful that one of the trees is going to collapse onto a house.

“The problems with the trees first started in September 2018,” Rita tells us.

“The day before my daughter’s wedding I was in my home looking out the window when one of the trees collapsed onto the street.

“It was a beautiful day, there was no storm, nothing to cause the tree to come down.

“The council were contacted, they came out, cut it up and took it away.

“However, the hole that was left had to be filled by one of the local residents, Paddy Gillard.

“The council still haven’t attended to it and its now sinking.

“Another tree is going to fall, it’s only a matter of time.

“The footpaths are clearly damaged by the roots from the trees and are now dangerous to walk on.

“The trees are also causing problems with light coming into some of the houses.

“We’ve been in regular contact with the council requesting that the cut the trees down and still nothing has been done.

“I have it in writing from the council that the trees are diseased but still the refuse to cut them down.

“I told them the last time I contacted them that if they didn’t do something I was going to go to the Northside People!

“We are getting nowhere with the council.”

John O’Keeffe echoed Rita’s frustration with the council.

“When are they going to do something rather than just acknowledge there’s a problem?” John says.

“We don’t want them trimmed back as next summer we’re going to be back to square one.”

Rita fears that someone’s home could be destroyed.

“A big storm this winter could be really dangerous for everyone who lives here,” she says.

“We are not against trees, we love trees, but they’re more suitable for St Anne’s Park than our road unfortunately.

“Down in Griffith Avenue they look great and are a wonderful feature because the paths are twice the width they are here.

“To be honest with you, we are at our wits end at this stage.

“It’s going to be a house the next time, I just really hope Dublin City Council act before this happens.”

Northside People contacted Dublin City Council for a comment in relation to this story but had not received a reply at the time of going to press.