An assessment is to be arranged at The Scenic Garden in Shannon, less than twelve months after Clare County Council hired a contractor to examine the area.
Calls for “a full inspection” of the trees located in the Scenic Garden next to Mary Immaculate College in Drumgeely were issued by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) at the September meeting of the Shannon Municipal District.
He outlined, “there is a concern for public safety as this is a public area and a huge attraction for visitors. Over recent years some of the large branches have come away and thankfully no one was injured but there is a risk that needs to be assessed by the Council”.
Senior executive engineer in the Shannon MD, Tom Mellett detailed that a contractor was requested to assess the area in 2020 after a number of branches fell. “No further works were required following that assessment. However as there are ongoing concerns the office has arranged for another assessment. Contact with the group maintaining the garden to discuss any measures arising will also be required”.
Volunteers involved with the Scenic Garden have spoken to Cllr Flynn of their worries regarding safety and potential risks to visitors. “There is a need for urgency, there are three to four trees up there which are quite dangerous, the safety of people using the garden has to be utmost in our minds,” Flynn stated.
“It is a public space used widely, a lot of people use it for photographs, it is constantly in use,” Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) commented in seconding the proposal.
