Turfcutters to defy directive and continue harvesting bog

Families in north Kerry have strongly signalled they intend to continue this year cutting turf on what is now a preserved bog.

Despite Heritage Minister Jimmy Deenihan’s best effort to control illegal turf- cutting, the row continues unresolved in the Fine Gael TD’s Kerry North/West Limerick constituency.

The issue will intensify next week in the minister’s native Listowel when two men are due to appear at the local district court.

A turfcutting contractor, along with his driver, are facing charges at the May 9 sitting of illegally cutting turf in a preserved bog.

Protesting turfcutters from other parts of the country are expected to travel, in support, to north Kerry while the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association (TCCA) has pledged to contest all cases.

Some of the minister’s neighbours defied the EU turfcutting ban last June and proceeded with their annual turf-harvesting operations in Moanveanlagh Bog.

A spokesman for the Moanveanlagh Turf Cutters has said they will, as usual, cut turf again this year.

“We’re determined to fight this all the way, no matter how long it takes,” he said.

As the row drags on, TCCA spokesman and Independent TD Luke Ming Flanagan joined more than 20 Kerry turfcutters in a protest at Mr Deenihan’s constituency office in Listowel on Apr 19.

Mr Flanagan said the association would be “backing the Kerry turfcutters to the hilt”.

Under an EU directive, the cutting of turf on 53 raised bogs around Ireland, including Moanveanlagh bog, is banned.

Affected turfcutters were given the option to relocate to another bog where turf cutting is legal; receive a delivery of 15 tonnes of turf to their home, or accept compensation of €1,500 per annum for 15 years.

But a number of turf-cutters refused the offer and have continued to cut turf illegally.

Earlier this year, Mr Deenihan welcomed progress in working towards a long-term resolution to the vexed issue and hoped for further progress before the year end.

He issued statistics which showed 27 applications for compensation had been made by Moanveanlagh turfcutters.

Some 24 of the applicants sought financial compensation, with the remaining three looking for relocation to other bogs.

Payments totalling more than €35,000 had been made.

It is understood Moanveanlagh is presenting a greater difficulty than other bogs in the country due to the lack of any suitable, alternative, plots nearby.