Galway turf users cut bog in violation of EU rules

A crowd of up to 160 have gathered in two Galway bogs this afternoon to cut turf in violation of an EU directive.

Relays of people are cutting the sod by in Barroughter and Clonmoylan, in opposition to the EU directive banning cutting in Special Areas of Conservation.

Spokesperson for Clonmoylan and Barroughter Bogs Action Group, Dermot Moran, told Midlands 103 radio what they hope to achieve by today's actions.

"Rural people should not be stopped from one of their great traditions of providing fuel for their winter and for their houses and all that as they have always done," he said.

"At a time when fuel costs are rising dramatically, they should be left alone and let cut their turf and their bogs."