Turf cutters upstage Fine Gael's presidential visit to Tuam

  By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN A GROUP of up to 200 protesters staged a demonstration at Tuam Mart this week during a visit by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fine Gael Presidential candidate Gay Mitchell. [private] Turf cutters chanted 'no bogs, no votes' as the politicians battled their way into the Mart offices to meet staff and farmers trading on Monday afternoon as part of Mr Mitchell's campaign. Independent TD Luke â€ËœMing' Flanagan was among the protesters, many of whom carried banners accusing the EU of evicting them from their own land. Talks are due to take place between the turf cutters and the Heritage Minister Jimmy Deenihan to address restrictions on domestic bog owners in cutting their own turf over the coming weeks. Mr Kenny has distanced himself from the negotiations, which drew anger from those protesters who say there are several solutions that would satisfy all sides on the issue. Up to 40 bogs in East Galway are affected by EU restrictions on turf cutting in protected peatland habitats, with the country facing massive fines if it fails to implement the directive. The protest marred what was a second visit to Tuam for Mr Mitchell in recent weeks. The Fine Gael MEP's popularity among voters has struggled to gain momentum with the most recent opinion polls placing him well down the field with only ten per cent of the vote. [/private]