Concern over turf cutters

Friday, 08 April 2011 14:47

The organisation representing families in Mayo hit by a ban on the non-commercial cutting of raised and blanket bogs have vowed to fight the measure all the way — even if it means going to jail.
Michael Fitzmaurice, chairman of the Irish Turf Cutters and Contractors Association (TCCA), said the government's decision to impose restrictions in order to protect the natural habitat represented 'an attack on rural Ireland'.
Speaking at a meeting of Mayo County Council's strategic policy committee on environmental policy, Mr. Fitzmaurice said 18 per cent of the Mayo landscape was designated as special areas of conservation.
He stated: "A major row is brewing over the decision to prohibit the sausage machine from cutting on blanket bogs.

"An even bigger row will break out when people are stopped from opening up a new bank once their existing sections are cut.
"Families who have been cutting turf all of their lives were never made aware of how extensive the restrictions were going to be. The government claimed they could not inform the stakeholders because they did not know who they were."
Mr. Fitzmaurice alleged that turf cutters were being 'bullied and intimidated' by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and other agencies.
He elaborated: "One person took his life because he was so upset over what is being done. Wrong maps were used in order to get people off bogs. There will be a rebellion if the intimidation does not stop.

"We have kept a lid on it for a long time but cannot do so any longer. People are being threatened over grants being taken from them. It's like getting a sledgehammer in the face.
"The government cannot take a fuel resource away from people. But the public at large don't realise the heartache that lies ahead for us. The day we are stopped from cutting, we are going to have to hit back.
"We're going back to the Land League days where people had to fight for their property. The gloves are off."
In 1999 the government obtained a derogation from EU conservation laws stating that raised bogs had to be protected.
It was then decided last year that all non-commercial turf-cutting will end with immediate effect in 32 bogs, located primarily in Galway.

Similar bans will come into force for a further 24 sites in 2011, and for 75 natural heritage areas in 2013. Cutting on blanket bog special areas of conservation, which occur predominantly on the western seaboard, will be allowed to continue.
The government promised to provide interim funding to address the immediate needs of those relying on the bogs to source their fuel.
The scheme offered an interim financial contribution towards the fuel costs of affected turf cutters while a final compensation package is expected to be concluded later this year.
Councillor Michéal McNamara said the situation was very concerning and needed to be urgently addressed.