Locals in South Dublin have reacted with ‘absolute shock and sadness’ after more than 40 trees were broken and chopped down in an act of vandalism over the weekend.

Around 20 cherry blossom trees which only recently began to bloom were chopped down alongside between 40 and 50 young saplings in the attack at Dodder Valley Park in Firhouse.

It is believed the trees were chopped down in a targeted manner in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Gardaí are now investigating and anyone with any information on the incident is urged to contact them.

Trees chopped down in act of vandalism in Dodder Valley Park in Dublin. Image: Cllr Alan Edge

South Dublin County Council (SDCC) Mayor Alan Edge told Newstalk that trees have been damaged in the past – but nothing of this scale has ever happened before.

“On Friday night or early Saturday morning, about 20 mature trees were cut down, by the looks of it, with an electric saw or chainsaw, in addition to 40 or maybe 50 young saplings,” he said.

“Local park users notified me and notified the Gardaí and I went down and had a look and was able to ascertain that, you know it had been done with some level of care, if you want to put it that way – the person who did it obviously took their time about it and went to a lot of effort.

“So, it's really a very bizarre act of deliberate targeted vandalism.”

A tree chopped down in act of vandalism in Dodder Valley Park in Dublin. Image: SDCC

Cllr Edge said locals are very upset at the “unprecedented and quite shocking” incident.

“The reaction has been one of absolute shock and sadness,” he said.

“I went down yesterday and people from all walks, people who were walking their dogs or cycling or just having a stroll or jogging, were all stopping to talk to each other and commiserate really.

“There's a real sense of disbelief and disappointment and particularly in Dodder Valley Park, where there's a fantastic collaboration between the Council and the local community.”

Trees chopped down in act of vandalism in Dodder Valley Park in Dublin. Image: SDCC

Cllr Edge said local volunteers have planted thousands of trees in Dodder Valley Park in partnership with SDCC in recent years.

“I suppose the positive thing is that everyone is very upset about it,” he said.

“Maybe some years ago it might have gone unnoticed, but I think such is the progress we've made in the county and in the community, that people really do have a sense of ownership of their parks and are really aggrieved at the loss of the trees.

“Particularly since the cherry blossoms were blooming, you know, it's a really beautiful sight and to have 20 of them or more cut down in this way while they're blooming is really saddening and really annoying.”

South Dublin County Council wishes to express our extreme disappointment and sadness at the deliberate act of vandalism which resulted in the illegal cutting down of a number of trees within Dodder Valley Park. The Council has evaluated the scale of the damage, and the incident… pic.twitter.com/OQXv7JMKKN

— South Dublin County Council (@sdublincoco) April 22, 2024

SDCC has expressed its “extreme disappointment and sadness at the deliberate act of vandalism” in the park, noting that Gardaí are now investigating.

Cllr Edge is urging anyone who saw anything suspicious in the or may have any information on the vandalism to contact Gardaí.

Reporting from Bella Finn.