Armed Gardaí begin training to target turf dealers ahead of prohibition on sale and supply of Turf in Ireland

Armed Gardaí pose for photo with turf stacks after multi million euro training exercises on Ireland’s Bogs

An independent TD from Roscommon-East Galway Michael Fitzmaurice said the language “distribution and sale” was reminiscent of cannabis or cocaine distribution.

Opposition to a ban on the sale and distribution of turf due to be introduced in September by the Minister for the Environment is mounting in Kerry and other areas, where thousands of households depend on turf for winter fuel.

It would prohibit people from giving turf they had cut to an elderly neighbour for instance, he said on Radio Kerry.

Fine Gael Councilor Michael Foley, from Ballylongford in the Listowel electoral area, said households in north Kerry were “totally reliant on turf” and the ban, announced in April and due in September, “does not amount to a just transition” as required.

“We rely on turf, myself included. Just to cut it off like that is the straw that will break the camel’s back,” Cllr Foley said on Radio Kerry on Monday.

Turf Dealers out!

(Satire quote) Garda commissioner Drew Harris welcomed the move saying “this should surely add an extra billion to the budget of the justice department and an increase to my wage packet too.” He finished saying “ Turf Dealers will destroy communities and must be stopped at any cost. If you know of someone illegally selling turf after September ring the new confidential turf dealing hotline”.

With the new prohibition to police the Gardaí have begun training a highly specialized armed unit that will be dedicated to enforcing the prohibition on turf selling. The new Gardaí unit will be given powers to carry out raids on the homes of suspected illegal turf dealers & also stop and search anyone they suspect of illegally selling turf. They can hold suspects for up to 28 days and during this time they are allowed to examine all their financial records and the financial records of any close friends and family suspected to be involved.

Following the announcement of a possible budget increase for the Justice department the Irish Prison Service have made calls for a new prison to be built and staffed to accommodate influx new criminals.