21/06/2012

Galway Turf Cutters Hold Overnight Protest

Turf cutters staged an overnight protest at a protected Galway bog at government restrictions on cutting turf there.

Up to 150 people mounted the action at Clonmoylan Bog, near Portunma, and vowed to continue it in a bid to keep the tradition of turf cutting going.

Dozens of gardai stayed at the scene overnight to keep the peace after heated scenes yesterday when the National Parks and Wildlife Service seized a digger and a hopper.

Under the EU Habitat's Directive, Ireland is obliged to protect and conserve important peatland habitats on raised bogs.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, Jimmy Deenihan, has said the law banning turf cutting on certain bogs cannot be cast aside.

(H)


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Upon their return to Clonmoylan bog yesterday, turf cutters in Co Galway have vowed to continue to cut turf until everyone in their area without fuel is supplied. The move is in directly defiance of an EU directive not to cut turf there.
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20 June 2013
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Turf has been cut from a bog in Galway for the first in a year, following a ban on the practice in areas deemed Special Areas of Conservation. The Ardgraigue bog near Kilimor is one of 53 where such a ban exists, 13 of which are in Galway. Turf cutting began at the site around 5am on Wednesday morning, using four machines.
05 April 2013
Land Owners Reminded Of Forest Fire Dangers
Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today reminded forest owners, forestry managers, farmers, turf cutters and the public that there will be an ongoing risk of land and forest fires in many parts of the country over the coming days.
31 January 2012
Farmers Light Fire Under Minister For Turf-Cutters
The chairman of Ireland's largest farming union has called on the Minister for Heritage to improve the offer to farmers being forced to cease turf cutting. The Irish Farmer's Association Project Chairman Padraic Divilly made the appeal to Minister Jimmy Deenihan as farmers in 51 designated SAC bogs are told to stop cutting.