Peaceful resolution within reach in sheelin turf wars
The Sheelin turf wars in the Mountnugent area, which have been waged for the last five years appear to be inching towards a resolution as members of the Sheelin Turfcutters and Contractors Association (STCCA) engage with Minister Heather Humphreys and her officials on the pointed issue of cutting rights and the ban on raised bogs.
Chairman of STCCA Sean Reilly told The Anglo-Celt that they have identified an area on the northern side of Ross bog, known as Moneybeg Clareisland, to where the turfcutters are willing to locate.
The area of bog in question, however, would have to lose its designation. It runs from Goalport to the bottom of Ross Hill and, by purchasing it, Mr Reilly claims that the Department will be saving taxpayers’ money. There is a case being made that this area is not a raised bog.
The association also produced maps for this area of bog and the merit of their plan appears to have made a favourable impression at a recent meeting on the issue in Dublin, in the presence of the Minister.
“The Minister did back us that day and we look forward to her continued support in bringing finality to this dispute,” said Mr Reilly.
“In fairness to Minister Humphreys, she came out and walked this area of bog,” he added.
Mr Reilly said that the turfcutters have another meeting with the RPS [the department’s scientific experts] on March 20, for which a full scientific outline of the bog will be available.
Mr Reilly ruled out any possibility of the affected turfcutters accepting sites in Derrycave or Carlanstown as potential relocation sites.
“At the eleventh hour, the Department is willing to sit down after all this time to talk about all the bogs and look at the plan that Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice and his negotiating team put together some years ago,” said Mr Reilly.
Department update
A spokesperson for the Minister informed The Anglo-Celt this week that the Minister and her officials met with local turf cutting representatives in late September 2014 and, following that, the Minister asked her officials and the department’s scientific experts to visit the bogs and carry out additional research.
The details, set out in an e-mail response, also revealed that there was a further meeting between Department officials and Sheelin Turf Cutters and Contractors Association representatives in late November 2014.
Following that meeting, and in liaison with the association, RPS has been carrying out additional survey work on the bogs in recent weeks.
Emphasising that the Department and RPS are available to meet local stakeholders to update them on this work, the statement reads:
“Two sites in Derrycave and Carlanstown have been assessed as having potential as relocation sites for turf cutters from Moneybeg and Clareisland Bogs.
“On behalf of the Department, Bord na Mona is currently undertaking work on the Derrycrave site to determine the quality and quantity of the turf there.”
Compensation
The Department spokesperson added that 97 applications for compensation under the turf cutting compensation scheme have been received and acknowledged by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in respect of Moneybeg and Clareisland Bogs raised.
“Of these 97 applicants, 15 have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog. A total of 238 annual payments and five deliveries of turf have been made in respect of the applications received.
“Also 63 once-off incentive payments have been made to applicants who have signed legal agreements with the Minister. This amounts to approximately €388,500.”
Backing
Locally, Sinn Féin councillor Noel Connell said he was totally behind the turfcutters and the association in their quest to have this problem sorted.
“There appears to be some progress and movement and we have to push to ensure there is a satisfactory outcome for all the turfcutters and nothing less,” he said.