THE Government has broken promises it made to compensate turfcutters affected by EU laws which ban them from cutting on specified protected bogs, it has been claimed.

IT was like the Planet of the Apps at the National Ploughing Championships in Athy, Co Kildare.

TURF-CUTTERS are once again on a collision course with Government officials whom they claim are reneging on a deal struck with the help of the Peatlands Council last month.

TURF CUTTERS representing 6,000 families hit by a ban on the non-commercial cutting of raised bogs have vowed to fight the measure all the way — even if it lands them behind bars.