Angry turf cutters protest in Glenamaddy

By TOM GILMORE ANGRY turf cutters from across North Galway and South Roscommon gathered to protest outside Glenamaddy Community Centre yesterday (Tuesday) where an information event was taking place regarding the proposed €1,500 per acre being offered to those who will no longer be allowed cut turf on raised bogs designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The bog cutters lit a turf fire on the path outside the community centre and a delegation met with the officials from the National Wildlife Section of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht who were inside the hall.[private] But officials from the Department said all they were doing was providing information at this and other clinics around the country. â€ËœAgreement collapsed' One of the protest leaders, John Higgins from Springlawn, Mountbellew claimed that any agreement signed at a meeting between Department officials and representatives of the turf cutters 'has now collapsed' as two of the organisations involved have now withdrawn their support of the deal. 'We will be reactivating the Special Areas of Conservation Alliance and joining up with other protest groups in Roscommon and elsewhere,' says John Higgins. He added that the group would be taking their protest to Portumna today (Wednesday) where a similar information meeting is taking place and other protests will be organised in the Midlands and North West After meeting with Department officials John Higgins addressed the group of protesters outside the Glenamaddy building. He emphasised that it was a peaceful protest and nobody was there to intimidate anyone who wished to go in privately and get information on what the Department were offering the bog cutters. He added that they were told by the officials that all they were doing was providing information on what was on offer and as far as he and the other protesters were concerned they were adamant that the deal on the table was not sufficient for people to give up their turf cutting rights on the designated bogs. 'I'm advising the people here in Glenamaddy and those from Glinsk and other areas to form their own committee as we are doing in Mounbellew,' he said. 'Over the years I've met with Ministers including Michael D Higgins, Sheila DeValera and Eamon O Cuiv but all to no avail,' he told the crowd. 'We were told today by the officials that it is not up to them and we have to go to the Minister, but what have we got from going to those Ministers over the years,' said one irate protestor. Fianna Fail's Cllr Michael Connolly, who is one of the campaigners for a better deal for the turf cutters, addressed them and said their property would be 'sterilised' if they signed up to what was being offered by the Department. Check with lawyer He advised people to check with their solicitors before signing up to any legal agreement. '23 other bogs will be added to the list down the road,' said Cllr Connolly. Fine Gael Cllr Kevin Ryan was in agreement with his Fianna Fail opposite number that the bog cutters were being treated unfairly. 'You can liken it to a situation where if a person was told they could only cut the grass on their lawn for the next 15 years and after that they could not touch it. One can imagine how annoyed householders would be if faced with that situation,' he added. But inside Glenamaddy Community Centre the Department officials were adamant that all they were doing was carrying out the work they were paid to do. 'The purpose of our clinic is to provide information here today and the decision was made at cabinet level by the last Government and it has been confirmed by the present Government,' said Department official Enda Mooney. Ireland faces fines 'If it is not implemented Ireland will face major fines for non-compliance under the 1982 European Habitats Directive. There will be a second tranche of SACs some time in the future as well,' he added. His Department colleague, Liam O'Reilly, who met a delegation from the protestors said they had been asked by the IFA and others to hold the current series of information clinics around the country. 'All we are here to do is to explain about the scheme and discuss with people the level of compensation as well as answering any of their questions. 'We agreed to met the delegation but we explained to them that less than five per cent of Ireland's raised bogs are designated,' he concluded.[/private]