HUNDREDS of Galway farmers in the Shannon Callows area have claimed this week that the era of the Penal Laws has returned as they could face fines of up to half a million euro if they clean a land drain without permission.
A prominent auctioneer has also declared this week that the designation of farmers’ lands as special areas of conservation (SAC) has now rendered their properties virtually worthless.
Eyrecourt farmer and Chairman of the Shannon Callows Project Team, Charlie Killeen, told the Connacht Tribune that what was happening to farmers in the area was ‘the biggest land grab since the days of Cromwell’.
“We cannot clear a drain or plant a tree without applying for permission – if we do so, it’s an offence carrying a maximum fine of €500,000 and a jail sentence. It’s like penal times.
“The fear is also there that plans are in place to put a charge or burden on the title of the designated lands. If that happens the properties will be worthless,” said Charlie Killeen.
Since the introduction of the EU Habitats Directive in the 1990s, SACs in Ireland enjoy the full clout of EU legislation behind them with the aim of preserving natural habitats but according to Charlie Killeen, farmers have been the real ones to suffer since.
“We really are facing into an unbelievable raft of restrictions in terms of land usage and all our pleas to Government seem to be falling on deaf ears,” he said.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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