Turfcutters march in Dublin

North Westmeath Turfcutters have set up to protect their rights in their area.They say wildlife and turfcutters co-exist in harmony; the process of raring the turf is more important to the people who do that than the end product (fuel for their fires)."Our forefathers cut turf for hundreds of years and we are not going to stand by and see this way of life, this tradition end," said Billy Standish, chairman, North Westmeath Turfcutters."We owe it to our ancestors, ourselves and future generations to stand up and defend this tradition."The EU and the Irish government are making a big mistake if they think this is just about fuel and a matter of buying out the bogs. Why would anybody sell off such a way of life?"This is deep - very deep - and we will not be bought off or moved."Whatever it takes, the turfcutters in north Westmeath will continue cutting turf for generations to come."• The North Westmeath Turfcutters' bus for the march in Dublin on Wednesday March 7 makes its last pick-up at 2.45pm in Drumcree, for departure at 3pm.Turfcutters and plot owners from the Mount Hevey Bog are organising a bus to travel to Dáil Éireann on Wednesday March 7, leaving Clonard at 4pm, to support a national rally spearheaded by Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, TD, to coincide with a debate on a Private Members Bill on the issue."This is our last chance to defend our long-standing rights as bog owners and cutters," said a spokesman. Our strength is in numbers so we encourage people to support the rally."