ELECTION POSTERS FOR Fine Gael TD and junior minister with responsibility for forestry, horticulture and food safety, Tom Hayes, were spotted nailed to trees along a road in Clonmel, Tipperary.
The posters, pictured above, were placed by supporters of Hayes along the Cahir Road.
The issue was first raised by local Sinn Féin councillor Séamie Morris who said: “Such disregard for natural life from supporters of the outgoing minister is particularly disappointing as the minister has special responsibility for forestry, and because some of the trees are ash”.
We have come to accept and care for the natural environment and show regard for trees in particular. It was therefore a major surprise –and disappointment – to learn that so many trees have been vandalised in this way. Hammering nails into trees stopped being acceptable decades ago.
He said he expected Hayes to cover the cost of an inspection on the trees as the holes created by the nails may have made them more vulnerable to Ash Dieback infection.
A spokesperson for Fine Gael said the party “expects all its candidates to respect postering guidelines”.
“We understand that these posters have now been removed.”
One poster for Fianna Fáil candidate Jackie Cahill was also spotted nailed to a tree near Kilsheelan.
The party has not responded to a request for comment.
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