Gardaí and Private Security’s Bogland Eviction Attempt Met With Resistance

A tense standoff looks to be continuing over the weekend between locals and the forces of the State at the Garrymore Bog in County Laois. 

The dispute is centered around ownership of the land, bog-cutting, and squatters’ rights. Yesterday, the semi-state agency Bord na Móna called in the Gardaí, alongside a private security firm, to evict locals from the area, but was met with resistance. Videos circulating on social media showed that, in breach of the law, members of the private security company refused to identify themselves upon inquiry. Despite repeated requests, they failed to show their licenses, which is illegal, notwithstanding the presence of Gardaí. In addition, it also seems that they were not wearing badges, which is also illegal.

In June 2025, the High Court ruled against local man Liam Gorman for extracting peat from Bord na Móna land and ordered him to stay off the site, sparking an ongoing dispute. At the time of the attempted eviction, he was living in a caravan on the land. He has stated that he is extracting peat to sell to farmers, to pay for bedding for his cattle.

The locals seem to be in support of the man, and have called on other members of the public to show up in support, at Co. Laois, R35P623, with directions from Dublin available at this link.