People flocking to the bog this year

A FINE Gael councillor has hit the bog.

And he's not alone. The proposed turf ban and rising fuel costs appear to have sent people to the bog in bigger numbers than usual.

Councillor Ger Deere cut his turf out in Burren, near Castlebar.

He hadn't planned on going bog-side this year, but changed his mind and found he was not alone.

The bog is busier than ever this spring, he told a municipal district meeting.

Clearly not what Environment Minister Eamon Ryan was hoping to hear.

Councillor Deere has said that this year, above any year, was the wrong time to even consider the proposal prohibiting the sale or distribution of turf.

People and families are facing increased heating costs and a rising cost of living, and are looking to turf, where they have traditionally done so, to provide a supply of heating.