Press Release: Illegal dumping and mechanical turf extraction again found in Glenveagh National Park

The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) has made a complaint to the EPA and Donegal County Council in relation to illegal dumping in Glenveagh National Park. Over the weekend a large quantity of builder’s rubble was found in a small woodland across the road from the main entrance to the park. In another location what we believe to be asbestos was found along a bog track. In addition to dumping it was also seen that mechanical turf extraction using so-called ‘sausage machines’ continues to take place over large areas inside the National Park in contravention of the National Peatland Strategy. In an area just outside the park, but inside a wider ‘Special Area of Conservation’ new turf banks could be seen alongside the corpses of dead animals. This is also in contravention of national policy and an illegal activity. It is hard to exaggerate the damage that is being done to protected habitats and one of Donegal’s most important tourist attractions.

In 2013 the IWT revealed similar activities including illegal dumping and turf-extraction inside the National Park.

IWT Campaigns Officer Pádraic Fogarty says: “It’s quite astonishing for this activity to be happening anywhere but to see it inside one of our National Parks is particularly distressing. The fact that this seems to be an on-going feature suggests that serious questions need to be asked of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and park management.”    END