MOUNTBELLEW BOGOWNERS AGREE TO RELOCATION DEAL

Date Published: 31-Jan-2012

A group of over 30 turfcutters in the Mountbellew area has agreed to relocate to another bogland as part of ongoing negotiations with government.

Relocation is one of the options being offered under the EU Habitats Directive which bans turf cutting in special areas of conservation, many of which are in Galway.

Up to 35 landowners affected by the designation will now move from Carrownagapall to Killasolan bog while 40 more are to accept a compensation package of 1 thousand euro per year.

Galway East Fine Gael Deputy Paul Connaughton says he'll also be pushing to increase the compensation to 15 hundred euro for those who do not wish to relocate.

Speaking to Galway Bay fm news, he says contracts have now been signed and it's hoped the Killasolan bog will be ready to cut in 12 to 18 months time.