LETTER TO THE EDITOR
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Dear Cllr Mulligan, you recently raised an issue at a meeting of Laois County Council regarding the felling of trees in some public amenity spots around the county, namely Togher Wood, Stradbally Wood, and the Lost Village.
Might I remind you of the recent destruction of a white thorn hedge in Kylebrook, bordering Cherrygarth, which to paraphrase your own words has "completely disrupted the natural appearance and natural beauty" of this area.
Residents affected in Cherrygarth are distraught and disappointed that this was carried out and the manner in which it was done.
Of course the standard and somewhat cliched retort to this is that it is private property and that private homeowners can do as they wish.
While this may be the case, in an era of heightened environmental consciousness and an emphasis on preservation and conservation it is simply appalling that this happened and that local councillors, such as yourself, do not seem to be in a position to facilitate or have any input into the preservation of a native species of hedge, the likes of which will not be seen again in a lifetime.
