Empty fuel sheds as turf supplies run out for locals in Killimor and Portumna

According to members of a local committee trying to preserve the generations old tradition of turfcutting in the bogs, a court injunction served on the contractor who cuts the banks, has meant no supply of local winter fuel will be available this year.

The bogs impacted on are Barroughter, Clonmoylan [both Portumna] and Ardraigue [Killimor] all of which have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation [SACs] under State and EU legislation.

Fifteen years ago, some bog owners, or people with turbary rights [the right to cut turf], accepted a compensation package of roughly €1,550 per year for 15 years in return for not cutting turf on the banks.

Now, according to local people, with that 15-year deal having run its course, a new ‘one-off’ compensation package of €24,000 is being offered to people who have continued to cut turf at the three bogs – up until this year.

Local Committee member Seán Lawless, said that many of those people in the Portumna and Killimor areas, now for the first time ever, didn’t have their own supply of winter fuel.

“Many of those have older houses with stoves, ranges or open fires, but now here are we are in 2025, and they are prevented by our own Government from cutting their own turf.

“It has caused a lot of upset, division and real worries about heating their houses over this coming winter, while the latest compensation package being offered has caused divisions among families.

“This is not the Ireland that Pearse and Connolly fought for. Instead of the West of Ireland it should now be called the Waste of Ireland,” said Seán Lawless.

He said that earlier this year, the contractor who would normally cut the turf for local people had been served with a State  court injunction ordering him to cease all turfcutting activity in the three bogs.

“Things have really changed in rural Ireland when ordinary people out the country cannot cut a few yards of turf for their own homes, as they have done back the generations, to heat their houses for the winter,” said Seán Lawless.

He also claimed that some public representatives, who were very active in the area prior to the last General Election, ‘weren’t inclined to answer their phones’ when contacted by people who couldn’t turf this year in the bogs.

Seán Lawless also said that huge holes dug in some of the bogs – to provide material to block drains – also provided a serious danger both for humans and for farm animals.

“What happens if farm animals break out and into this area of bog and what about the dangers to members of gun clubs who may be shooting in these areas. Who is liable if anything happens here,” he asked.

Another local person who contacted the Farming Tribune, said that there was confusion over the latest ‘financial package’ on offer from the State [a one-off €24,000 payment according to local people] in exchange for people not cutting turf any more at the designated bogs.

Pictured: THE TURF IS NEARLY GONE: Anne Lynch, Abbey, Loughrea, with Bog Committee member, Seán Lawless, taking a look at the dwindling supply of turf in her shed for the winter of 2025/2026. No turfcutting was allowed in the Barroughter, Clonmoylan and Ardraigue Bogs this summer, following the serving of a State injunction on the contractor earlier this year.  PHOTO: HANY MARZOUK.