Having reviewed this case it was found that the area in question falls within an urban area (“An urban area is an area that comprised a city, town or borough specified in Part 2 of Schedule 5 and in Schedule 6 of the Local Government act 2001, before the enactment of the Local Government Reform Act.) Under Section 19 of the Forestry Act 2014 a tree in an urban area may be felled without the need for a tree felling licence and thus falls outside the jurisdiction of this Department.
If you consider there were nesting birds or bats etc in the trees perhaps you may wish to contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in relation to the Wildlife Acts. Contact could also be made to your local authority in relation to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) being in place for the tree that was felled. The local authority, who under the Planning and Development Acts, 2000 to 2011 have responsibility for TPOs and hold a database of such trees.
Kind regards,
Alleged Illegal Forestry Section, Forestry Division
An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Eastát Chaisleán Bhaile Sheáin, Co. Loch Garman, Y35 PN52
Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford, Y35 PN52
T +353 (0)53 9163425
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie