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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Lifestyle
Julia Banim Audience Writer & Cathal Ryan

'My neighbour snuck into garden to chop our tree down - I caught them on camera'

A young woman has opened up about an experience with her neighbour sneaking into her garden to chop down her apple tree that has left her seething.

The unnamed 23-year-old and her partner bought their first home together, after falling in love with the massive back garden and in particular the huge apple tree she estimates to be around 70 to 80 years old.

However, on the day they were set to move in, it became clear that the neighbour, who is in their 50s, didn’t care for the tree at all.

READ MORE: 'My new neighbour keeps using my tap - but I can't afford it'

The neighbour asked if they could chop down the overhang, which the woman agreed to but advised they would do so around August, the neighbour decided to take matters into their own hands though.

In a post on Reddit, she wrote: "We agreed but told them it's not the right time of year to cut branches off trees and we'd handle it close to autumn when you're meant to.

"In the meantime, if they wanted to cut any that were causing problems for them they could as I know that by law in the UK, you can cut a neighbour's tree if it hangs into your garden but only what hangs into the garden and only from your own side of the fence.

"They pestered us a few times in the now eight weeks we lived here asking when we're going to sort it but we've told them many times that it's not our top priority (the house needs a rewire and a new kitchen)."

During the weekend just gone, the couple then headed away on a trip with her family but ended up getting a security camera notification alerting them to motion detected in their back garden.

She continued: "When we looked they'd let themselves into our garden with a saw and a ladder to try and cut it down. Thankfully our camera has a microphone so we told them off over the camera and they ran off pretty quick but we got back today and they have managed to cut off another branch (which was not an overhanging one).

She then clarified that they ended up calling the non-emergency police line, where they were informed that this "was a civil matter and not a criminal offence" before asking Reddit for some advice on what to do in this situation.

They spotted what the neighbour was up to after getting a security notification (Getty)

One person commented: "They are not going to stop! If you go away again, they'll try again. You need to take some kind of legal action to let them know you are very serious about not taking the tree down.

"Repeatedly asking about it is a form of bullying, but then going into your yard and cutting off a branch is destruction of your property.

“Maybe a lawyer can write a letter to them, addressing the situation. Some people try to take advantage of young people and this may be part of their problem."

Another suggested: "Your neighbour knew damn well that you weren't home. I'd go talk with them and let them know that they're absolutely not allowed on your property without your permission and with you present.

"Tell them that you're going to press charges for trespassing if they pull anything like this again. They're not taking you seriously and they need to be set straight. They're probably thinking that you're young so you don't know your rights and you'll be pushovers. Don't let them get away with it."

Nuisance Neighbours, an advice website run by lawyers, explained that the first step to take when you believe your neighbour is trespassing in your garden is to report them to the police or council.

The site says: "Firstly, you can file a complaint with the council or police, who can investigate the matter and take appropriate action.

“This can include issuing a warning to the trespasser or imposing a fine. You should only contact the police if you feel the neighbour is going to cause damage or harm.

"If the trespassing persists, you may be able to obtain a restraining order or an injunction, which is a court order that prohibits the individual from entering your land or property."

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