Turf cutters face circuit court trial after district judge declines jurisdiction

Two men accused of illegally cutting turf in an EU-protected bog face trial in the circuit court after a district judge declined jurisdiction.

Agricultural contractor John O’Connor, 50, and his employee Christopher McCarthy, 26, both of Kilbaha, Moyvane, Co Kerry, appeared at Listowel District Court charged with illegally cutting turf at Moanveanlagh bog, near Listowel, on May 20 last year.

They are being supported by the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association (TCCA). Upwards of 80 protesters from Kerry, Clare, Kildare, Galway, and Roscommon gathered on the streets outside the courthouse holding placards.