Mutilation of apple trees at Mayo lakeside is a dispiriting sight

FOR the second time in recent years, one of the apple trees planted along Castlebar’s Lough Lannagh walk has been mutilated.

Regular strollers along the busy route have been heartbroken when they spotted the damage.

One of the tree’s sturdy boughs was pulled to the ground by individuals who are either mindless vandals or were prepared to use brute force to gain access to the hanging fruit on the higher branches.

The damaged tree is part of a community orchard founded in 2011 on an idea put forward by Mayo Sustainability Forum.

Trees planted by volunteers at Lough Lannagh included apples, plums, damsons, cherries and nut varieties.

Mayo Sustainability Forum received funding for the project under the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership and the then Castlebar Town Council.

Former town councillor Thérèse Ruane was one of those who put a lot of work into getting the project off the ground.

I’m sure that Thérèse, like most of the countless others who enjoy the peace, solace and satisfaction that the lakeside walk offers, is absolutely sickened by the moronic behaviour of those responsible.