Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has accused Bord na Móna (BNM) of “betraying ordinary people” in what the TD has described as the semi-state company’s latest move “to prevent turf cutting” going ahead this harvest season. Turf cutting is carried out on less than 1pc of BNM’s total 200,000ac land bank. In recent years, turf cut on Bord na Móna lands accounted for just 5pc of the turf supply in Ireland. "Since the 2019 High Court ruling, Bord na Móna has not issued licences to commercial contractors or other licensed turf cutters. "Unauthorised turf cutting on Bord na Móna lands has always been and remains an illegal activity,” the statement concluded.

Source: Irish Independent March 16, 2021 21:50 UTC