Gardai are patrolling 53 bogs in Ireland deemed by the EU to be special areas of conservation in a turf-war with local farmers.

The Irish Sun reports that the Government has spent €100,000 on Air Corps private jets in a bid to monitor the bogland.

Conservationists say protected bogs must be left alone because they mitigate against climate change through carbon storage, help prevent flooding and are important for biodiversity.

However, many farmers are reportedly still taking turf from these areas.