Bord na Mona claims man in the Midlands is unlawfully harvesting peat from 400 acres of lands it owns

Bord Na Mona has launched High Court proceedings against a man it claims is unlawfully harvesting peat from 400 acres of bogland it owns in the Midlands. 

On Friday afternoon Bord Na Mona Biomass Ltd secured a temporary injunction restraining Liam Gorman from trespassing or carrying on any works at a property known as Garrymore Bog, Tinnahinch in Co Laois.  

The plaintiff, represented by Nevan Powell Bl and instructed by OSM Partners Solicitors, claims that it acquired the bogland in question from Mr Gorman's family in October 2023.  

It became aware last January that Mr Gorman, of Silverwood Mountmellick Co Laois, had placed equipment and signs on the lands, which warned persons not to trespass on the property, and contained the defendant's name and phone number. 

The plaintiff, counsel said, wrote to Mr Gorman about the alleged trespass. 

In his reply he acknowledged that while BNM owned certain lands at Garrymore Bog, it did not own the property in question and he denied trespassing. 

He added in his response that BNM had made "unlawful accusations" about him by saying he was a trespasser on lands he and his father had worked for over 30 years. 

His response also said that BNM did not forward proof that it owns the lands in question it would owe Mr Gorman €1m in silver and gold. 

BNM disputes all of his claims. 

Late last month counsel said that BNM was informed by a cousin of the defendant that Mr Gorman was milling peat on the property, which consists of 94 separate plots of land. 

Counsel said that following BNM's investigation of the claims, it appears that Mr Gorman has milled over 390 acres of the 400 acre site, and has built a road from his own lands onto the property. 

Mr Gorman, it is claimed, was asked but has refused to remove himself from the lands, and has continued to mill peat on the bog. 

BNM, counsel said, estimates that to date Mr Gorman has milled €189,000 of peat. 

Counsel said that Mr Gorman has not entitled to be on, nor carry out any works, including the removal of peat on the lands. 

Counsel said that his client is the registered owner of 87 of the plots, while others are in the process of being registered. 

Counsel said that it believes Mr Gorman is carrying out the activities for commercial purposes. 

It is particularly concerned as it has certain environmental obligations regarding the lands, and that the defendants actions will damage the bog. 

Counsel said his client no longer harvests peat from Garrymore and has asked the court for orders against the defendant before any further damage is done.  

The matter came before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey on Friday, who an ex-parte basis granted the plaintiff temporary injunctions restraining the defendant from trespassing, occupying, carrying out any works on the land, or removing any material from the property. 

The judge expressed his concern about the fact that BNM knew in January that the defendant had placed signs on the bogland at the centre of the dispute, but appeared not to have taken any action until late last month when it received information about the defendant's alleged activities. 

The matter was adjourned to a date next week.