Tree-burning thugs destroy royal oak

An oak tree planted at University of Galway by the King of England, Charles III, when he was heir apparent, died after it was attacked several times by vandals.  The oak tree, the national tree of Ireland and Wales, was planted at the Quadrangle on the Galway City campus by the then Prince of Wales.

The monarch visited the university in May 2015 with his wife, Queen Camilla, who was then the Duchess of Cornwall.  During a special ceremony, the couple planted a sessile oak, also known as the Cornish Oak, on the lawn beside the historic Quadrangle.

A University of Galway spokesperson confirmed to the Galway City Tribune this week that the tree died last spring after three attempts by vandals to destroy it. The dead tree, deliberately damaged by fire, was removed by the university.

An accompanying stone memorial plaque, which had details of the Royal visited engraved on it, was superficially damaged in one of the arson attacks. It was also removed and is now in storage.

It’s understood the vandalism was reported to Gardaí. Although nobody has been charged, it’s understood vandals with Republican leanings are suspected.

A university employee told this newspaper that some staff are angry management have not replaced the tree.   This, the employee said, was viewed as “succumbing to bully tactics” of anti-British vandals.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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