Turf war lands on Deenihan's front door
Turfcutters Declan O'connor, Kilmorna, Denis Scannell, Bunagarha, Michael Looney and Noreen O'connor, Kilmorna protesting in Listowel on Saturday. Credit: Photo by John Reidy
MINISTER Jimmy Deenihan was picketed outside his Listowel clinic on Saturday by a group of his own constituents who are incensed over an EU directive being that will stop turf-cutting on a north Kerry bog.
The ongoing turcutting saga escalated at the weekend as a group of up to 60 turfcutters picketed the Minister outside his clinic at the Listowel Arms.
They now say they are going to picket Minister Deenihan every Saturday between 11.30am and 1pm until Wednesday, March 7, next — the day the EU ban comes into effect on Moanveanlagh bog as well as over 50 other raised bogs up country.
"We know Minister Deenihan inherited the bog problem, but he is the man who signed a statutory instrument giving him extra powers that include the power to confiscate turfcutting equipment from us, including his own cousins, when the time comes," Chairperson of the Kerry branch of the Turf Cutters' and Contractors' Association (TCCA) Denis Scannell said.
Like his many neighbours on Moanveanlagh who cut turf, Mr Scannell is a law-abiding citizen who feels forced to take up placards to protect the age-old practice on the bog.
"Our anger is directed at the Minister as he is the man who signed those powers over to himself and who is directly responsible for this issue.
"We are also looking for more support from the IFA and the ICMSA because they are dodging the bullet on this and should be backing us up on it."
The Kerry branch of the TCCA are now looking for the support of everyone as they take to Kildare Street to contribute to a protest in Dublin by turfcutters from all over the country on Wednesday, March 7, next.
"We hope to bring three busloads to Dublin on the day. We have no intention of stopping cutting turf, but we are still open to talk with the Minister on the issue," Mr Scannell added.
