A local Senator has called for an investigation into suspected illegal peat extraction in the Shannonside region to be allowed run its course. It comes as the Environmental Protection Agency opened investigations into unauthorised activity in nine counties including Roscommon and Longford. The Irish Independent reports that files released by the EPA to the Right to Know organisation show evidence of large-scale commercial extraction at 38 sites nationwide. Senator Eugene Murphy says it's important for the full facts to be made known but the rules and regulations are clear.
The EPA says drone footage and aerial maps of areas of particular concern include six sites in Roscommon and four in Longford. There are also nine such sites of concern in Offaly, eight in Westmeath, six in Tipperary, four in Kildare and one in Sligo. Speaking to Shannonside News, Senator Murphy said the results of the EPA's investigation will determine the next steps:
Meanwhile, Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice dismissed the report as scaremongering. The Roscommon-Galway Deputy has been speaking to Shannonside News this evening:
