The High Court has upheld a decision in which a Monaghan family-run business was ordered to cease the extraction of peat.
Harte Peat, which is one of the largest suppliers of peat to the Irish mushroom sector according to Agriland, will no longer be allowed to extract peat from areas in Westmeath, Cavan and Monaghan.
The initial decision was made in 2020 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who refused the company’s request for a licence to extract peat from Westmeath.
While the company took the EPA decision to the High Court attempting to have it overturned, the High Court ruled in the EPA’s favour, agreeing that the company should be denied the relevant licenses.
Speaking on the High Court’s ruling, EPA director Tom Ryan said the ruling would “play an important role in the fight against climate change.”
The news comes amid the ongoing energy and cost of living crisis, in which household bills have spiralled to record highs and continue to rise steadily.
Bord Gáis announce whopping hikes of up to 40% with other energy providers set to follow#CostOfLivingCrisishttps://t.co/hKn8P2ta49
— Irish Daily Mirror (@IrishMirror) March 16, 2022