Call for prosecution of Ringfort destruction

national | environment | news report Friday August 06, 2010 21:33 by Tony Lowes - Friends of the Irish Environment tony at friendsoftheirishenvironment dot org Kilcatherine, Eyeries, County Cork 087 2176316

The environmental group Friends of the Irish Environment have written to the Minister for the Environment calling for prosecutions to follow the recent complete levelling of two listed ringforts by a farmer in County Cork. The ringforts were located in the townland of Knockacareagh, near Killmurray in north Cork. The farm was auctioned on 24 June, 2010. The new owner obliterated the ring forts, which were marked on maps and included in a photograph on the auctioneer's website, within a week of taking possession.

In the letter to the Minister, the group says it has confirmed with the Heritage Service of Cork County Council the complete levelling of two listed ringforts by the farmer.

The local Guards refused a member of the public's request to act unless requested by the National Monuments Service or the Local Authority. By the time these bodies visited the site, the destruction had been completed.

A spokesman for the Cork based environmental network said that ‘While the vast majority of farmers and land owners have the greatest respect for our archaeological heritage, often at their own expense, there remain elements in the farming community who believe that they can destroy these sites at will because of the wide spread historic lack of enforcement.’

‘The full weight of the law must be brought to bear in this case. The message must go out across Ireland that however few these individuals are, they will not be tolerated and the national heritage will be protected.’

FIE is seeking cooperation from the IFA, the Department of Agriculture, the National Monuments Service, and the Heritage Council to issue joint statements condemning this blatant destruction.

Further information: Tony Lowes 027 74771 / 087 2176316

Letter to Minister (with maps)
http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.net/cmsfiles/fi...0.pdf

Picture and map from auctioneer’s site
http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.net/cmsfiles/fi...e.pdf

Before and after photographs
http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.net/cmsfiles/fi...t.pdf