National Parks & Wildlife Service officials and gardaí have moved onto a protected bog in Co Roscommon this afternoon where turf cutting was under way.

Several hundred farmers had been at a bog at Corbo, Kilteevan, Co Roscommon, where turf was being cut.

Local farmer Josie Fallon told RTÉ News he had no option but to cut his turf because the Government had refused to compensate him, or offer him a replacement bog.

He said he knew he was in breach of the regulations but he had to cut his own turf for his own family.

Mr Fallon said he had been cutting turf there since 1982 but would stop if he was offered either compensation or a new bog.

Independent TD Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, who was on the bog when the turf was being cut, denied that he was encouraging the breaking of the law.

He said he would not tell any bog owner what to do but he knew the pressure that was on bog owners.

Gardaí and officials are still on the site and turf cutting has now stopped.