A TIPPERARY MAN has been sentenced to two years in jail for cutting down mature ash trees growing on the land of Libertas founder Declan Ganley.

John Keane, from 5 New Houses, Faugheen, Carrick-on-Suir, confessed to travelling the country in search ancient ash trees in order to fell them and sell the wood to hurley-makers, RTÉ reports.

However, the 33-year-old denied stealing eight ancient trees – valued at €21,600 – from grounds belonging to Ganley on 12 June, 2009. Keane also denied stealing ash timber from Thomas McHugh, Ganley’s neighbour, on the same occasion.

The court heard that ash is increasingly rare in Ireland and most wood used to make hurleys comes from abroad, reports Galway Bay FM.

Sentencing Keane today, Judge Raymond Groarke called Keane a “marauding thief”‘ who displayed “barefaced cheek”.

Groarke sentenced Keane to one year for each of the offences, with the sentences to run concurrently. He suspended the final year on the condition that Keane keep the peace for three years. He also disqualified him from driving for ten years.