Meeting on turf cutting crisis in Gaoth Dobhair this evening
Locals want access to their bogs
Community representatives are due to gather at Teach Jack, Gaoth Dobhair around 6.30pm this (Wednesday) evening to voice more concerns about being denied access to An Charraig agus An Chorr Mhín bogs in the Glassagh area.
This is the third public meeting to be held on the issue
It has been claimed these people, who have gathered turf at this site for over 100 years, are being denied entry.
"This is affecting many people in the areas affected. The owner appears to have locked the gates to the bog and denied up to 30 individuals their right to cut their turf there. These turbary rights which have existed for generations, and being denied to cut our turf is unfair to householders who depend on the fuel to heat their homes, especially now that the cost of living and fuel prices are so high," said one local who did not want to be named.
He added they had been in contact with their legal representatives who expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved.
"We have many people such as pensioner John Phil McFadden depending on this bog for his fuel. Some have a tradition going back over 100 years and it's difficult for them now with the gates closed to get access to their turf,” he said.