You can tell when it's almost 1 March, the beginning of the ban on cutting of hedgerows and vegetation in Ireland.

How?

Because just like in February last year when they ripped out a large swathe of native hedgerow, DLRCOCO are again busy cutting down mature woodland in Shanganagh Park.

They claim it is for "emergency access" to the derelict and unoccupied Shanganagh Castle - if so why don't they use the front entrance given it's Council land?

We know (and Council staff have confirmed as such) that it is in reality to prepare the ground for the access link from the proposed dressing rooms to the proposed pitches - neither of which have been approved.

Despite their claims, there seems to be no end to DLRCOCO's casual and blatant disregard for nature and community engagement, all the more reason that supporters of the #SaveShanganaghPark campaign are appalled and enraged by the Council's actions and failure of elected Councillors (with only minor exceptions) to actually represent and stand-up for the wishes of the community.

Who knows where this will end up but if we don't fight to protect these parcels of land and ensure sustainable development of public lands then they will disappear bit by bit and be lost forever.

Don't let the Council steamroll over our park and community!

• Sign and share the petition at www.change.org/SaveShanganaghPark
• Show your support by using the #SaveShanganaghPark hashtag on your social networks
• Follow updates via www.facebook.com/SaveShanganaghPark
• Contact your councillors here to demand they put a stop to unsustainable development in the name of supposed community benefit when the reality is a disastrous plan that is environmentally damaging, socially unacceptable and economically unsound.