It’s claimed that the sites identified in an investigation into suspected illegal peat extraction may only be the tip of the iceberg.
A site in County Sligo is one of 38 areas of particular concern as part of the major investigation.
The Environmental Protection Agency has opened scores of investigations at bogs all over the country.
Files released by the agency to the organisation Right To Know show clear evidence of large-scale commercial peat extraction – all believed to be unauthorised.
That is despite a ban on the commercial sale of peat for solid fuel heating and the restriction of peat-cutting for other purposes.
Director of Right To Know, Ashley Glover says the evidence may surprise people:
