The EPA investigated 38 sites across seven counties: Kildare, Offaly, Laois, Westmeath, Roscommon, Longford and Sligo.
Illegal, commercial peat extraction is still widespread in Kildare.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it's causing "catastrophic" damage to the environment
The EPA investigated 38 sites across seven counties: Kildare, Offaly, Laois, Westmeath, Roscommon, Longford and Sligo.
Four sites have been identified in Kildare.
In one case, EPA inspectors, as illustrated in the images below, visited Ballinderry, Carbury on May 22 2025.
Investigators noted ongoing commercial-scale peat extraction, specifically milling and harrowing operations.
Significant dust was noted to be coming from the collection of milled peat from the peatland.
Discharges were also noted to be coming from the sedimentation ponds along the Eastern boundary of the peatland.
The EPA said large scale commercial peat extraction is taking place without the right approval from the local authorities.
They said these "illegal" operations are contributing to an export trade of 300,000 tonnes of peat annually, valued at almost €40 million.
The Agency also said the illegal sites are destroying "precious natural environments".
"Local authority enforcement performance in this area is patently inadequate," according to the EPA.
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