Turf cutters ready to go to jail in ban fight

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.

Environment Minister John Gormley insisted he had no choice but to protect the natural habitat by imposing the restrictions.

The new ban on non-commercial turf cutting will apply to 32 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), with a further 24 SACs at the end of next year and for 75 Natural Heritage Areas at the end of 2013.