Nine of 53 protected bogs ‘being cut illegally’

Nine of the country’s 53 protected bogs are being illegally cut by turf contractors, according to environmental and heritage groups.

The Peatlands Council was informed last week that turfcutting was taking place. Aerial photographs were presented as evidence.

An Taisce and Friends of the Irish Environment say they have “eyewitness reports of members of An Garda Síochána laughing and joking as they apparently stand by watching the law being broken”.