Four sent forward for trial over alleged turfcutting incidents

Four men accused of cutting turf illegally have been sent forward for trial to the Circuit Criminal Court.

The four men, all from south Co Galway, appeared before Loughrea District Court yesterday where they were each served with a book of evidence.

Supporters of four men — including TDs Luke “Ming” Flanagan and Labour Party chairman Colm Keaveney — staged a protest outside the court during the short hearing.

It was the second court appearance for the four men arising out of incidents surrounding the cutting of turf on protected raised bogs last summer.

Sgt Daithí Cronin gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on Michael D’Arcy, aged 43, from Ballycahill, Killimor; Padraic Byrne, aged 57, from Main St, Killimor; Pat McDonagh, aged 43, from Portumna; and Tony Porter, aged 44, from Woodford.

State solicitor for Galway East Tom McLoughlin told Judge Geoffrey Browne the DPP had consented to seek to return for trial to Galway Circuit Criminal Court.

Each of the men was remanded on bail of €100 to appear before Galway Circuit Criminal Court on May 28. The case is not expected to go ahead until the autumn.

The four men are the first to be summonsed since an EU habitats directive imposed restrictions over a year ago on turfcutting due to environmental damage on 53 bogs which are designated areas of special conservation.

The men are being prosecuted under sections of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.

D’Arcy and Byrne were charged in relation to incidents which occurred at Clonmoylan Bog in south Co Galway on May 22 and 23 last year.

Porter and McDonagh appeared in court in relation to an incident at Derryvunlam on Aug 21 last year.

Dermot Moran of the Barroughter and Clonmoylan Bog Action Group, who addressed a crowd of about 200 after the court hearing, said bog owners and protesters would continue to support the four men during each court sitting.

The group marched from the courthouse through the main street in Loughrea after the hearing.

Gardaí maintained a strong presence in the vicinity and the road in front of the courthouse was closed to traffic while people entering the building were asked to identify themselves.

The protest march passed off without incident.