Kenny: Turf cutters must adhere to law of the land

The Taoiseach says turf cutters will have to observe and adhere to the law of the land.

A stand off between gardaí and around 150 protestors took place at Clonmoylan Bog near Portumna in Galway overnight.

It began yesterday afternoon when the National Parks and Wildlife Service tried to seize turf cutting equipment.

Enda Kenny says Ireland is required to protect designated bogs under an EU habitat directive or else face fines.

“This country signed up for preservation of quite a number of bogs over a decade ago and nothing was done about it.

“The country is quite likely to be fined €25,000 a day if we don’t adhere to this.

“The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht put in place a series of opportunities here, for compensation, relocation of bogs and indeed for free turf.”