State using spy planes to catch bog cutters!

Biggins · 29-04-2012 11:22pm #1

Ok... so the state using spy planes to catch bog cutters!
Story here: http://www.independent.ie/national-news/military-aircraft-get-bogged-down-in-turfcutting-spy-games-3095262.html

Military fixed-wing aircraft have been carrying out reconnaissance on bogs, leading to alarm and anger among landowners.

Cessna FR172H aircraft, which boast excellent slow-flight characteristics, have been seen flying low over bogs -- an alteration of regular military operations, which involve aerial surveillance and monitoring of escorts carrying cash, prisoners or explosives.

Ok, there might be justification in trying to cut down on possible damage to the bogs, I'm no expert so I won't advocate either way - but using planes to spy on Irish people, bog cutters... does anyone else think this is a bit extreme?

Using spy planes to catch out people traditionally cutting a bog, was not something I thought I'd ever read in an Irish paper!
Strange stuff! :eek:

Born to Die · 29-04-2012 11:23pm

I love this country. The madness gets better each day.

Pherekydes · 29-04-2012 11:24pm

Spy planes?

They're ****ing Cessnas. :pac:

byte · 29-04-2012 11:25pm

Would any subsequent fines cover the cost of having the spy planes out in the first place?

Presuming they catch somebody.

girl2 · 29-04-2012 11:26pm

Ok, so I didnt read the whole story, but what's the importance of these bogs? Just so people wont cut turf or something?

Totally

TeddyTedson · 29-04-2012 11:27pm

****ing ludicrous law anyway.
They're selling tons of peat out of the country every week.

TeddyTedson · 29-04-2012 11:28pm

Born to Die wrote: »

I love this country. The madness gets better each day.

One of the best posts I've seen, very nicely put.

Born to Die · 29-04-2012 11:28pm

Bogmen buying camouflage from army surplus stores will be the next story.

admiralofthefleet · 29-04-2012 11:28pm

are they going to use spy planes on sean 'i live on €188 a week' fitzpatrick when he is having a round of golf?

Corkfeen · 29-04-2012 11:29pm

To be fair, we don't really have anyone to spy on so at least they're actually putting them to use rather than locked away. I'm awaiting the film version 'Bog Games' . Not to be mistaken for Japanese toilet porn.

Wild Bill · 29-04-2012 11:30pm

More EU fascism. :mad:

micropig · 29-04-2012 11:31pm

I think it's great, They recruited 600 recently to deal with the upsurge in bog theft:D

How much do these spy planes cost to run? Undisclosed sums, I see from the article:rolleyes::pac:

girl2 · 29-04-2012 11:32pm

Am just thinkin........where's boneyarsebogman when ya need answers? He might shed some light on things

Biggins · 29-04-2012 11:33pm

I wonder what's the cost to the state every time one of these planes goes up to spy on bog cutters?

(There's a question I thought I'd never be asking!)

Mad stuff LOL

EDIT: I see micropig is thinking the same question!

golden lane · 29-04-2012 11:33pm

for peat's sake !!!!!!.....what next.........

Thrill · 29-04-2012 11:34pm

Pic

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6127/6020431935_0908c52d46_z.jpg

Where To · 29-04-2012 11:35pm

Headline should read:

'Bogmen startled by aeroplane'

*I'm from the bog

Mr Benevolent · 29-04-2012 11:37pm

Biggins wrote: »

I wonder what's the cost to the state every time one of these planes goes up to spy on bog cutters?

It would be roughly €500-€750 an hour all told. including fuel, maintenance, labour, support, etc.

Pherekydes · 29-04-2012 11:37pm

micropig wrote: »

How much do these spy planes cost to run? Undisclosed sums, I see from the article:rolleyes::pac:

Biggins wrote: »

I wonder what's the cost to the state every time one of these planes goes up to spy on bog cutters?

Not a whole lot.

My name is URL · 29-04-2012 11:39pm

The bog cutters are better equipped tbh

Biggins · 29-04-2012 11:40pm

Confab wrote: »

It would be roughly €500-€750 an hour all told.

Could they not just pay some bog cutters each part of that instead of sending up the plane? :pac:

It would make more sense? I honestly dunno - it just seems funny but daft at the same time.

Born to Die · 29-04-2012 11:49pm

There should be a rule brought in where a normal person has to attend these meetings while sh!te like this is being discussed. When the normal person falls off their chair laughing the plan should be scrapped. It can be used as a measure of how the people of this country will think of your plan.

I volunteer to be first, could do with a laugh as I search for a real fcuking job.

Biggins · 29-04-2012 11:52pm

Born to Die wrote: »

There should be a rule brought in where a normal person has to attend these meetings while sh!te like this is being discussed. When the normal person falls off their chair laughing the plan should be scrapped. It can be used as a measure of how the people of this country will think of your plan.

I volunteer to be first, could do with a laugh as I search for a real fcuking job.

I'd be sacked - I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face! :pac:

pa990 · 29-04-2012 11:53pm

Latest image of Government action against illegal turf cutter in Galway

Born to Die · 29-04-2012 11:56pm

Biggins wrote: »

I'd be sacked - I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face! :pac:

You're not meant to, assuming you are normal, it would be impossible. Seriously what kind of clowns are coming up with this stuff.

I'd do it for a bottle of water and a sandwich.

hondasam · 29-04-2012 11:58pm

Biggins wrote: »

Could they not just pay some bog cutters each part of that instead of sending up the plane? :pac:

It would make more sense? I honestly dunno - it just seems funny but daft at the same time.

I think they did the same thing when the ban on burning rubbish came in. It's just to scare people I think. The pilots can get a bit of practise in while they are at it, take a few pics and sell them.

Biggins · 30-04-2012 12:02am

hondasam wrote: »

I think they did the same thing when the ban on burning rubbish came in. It's just to scare people I think. The pilots can get a bit of practise in while they are at it, take a few pics and sell them.

...And maybe take up a parachuter or two for extra cash?
One can pop out... "Right lads, I need to go to the bog!" :pac:

TheChizler · 30-04-2012 12:02am

Surely we could be commending them for saving money in this case? The Air Corps would probably be doing pointless exercises anyway as training, it's great that they're being put to proper use. Also can you imagine trying to inspect thousands of acres of bog for change from the ground? You'd have to have dozens of rangers traipsing around by foot for weeks to be as effective as a few hours flying every month or two. The Parks and Wildlife service and Air Corps are showing initiative and great co-operation in doing this, things you don't see much in other services across the country.

pa990 · 30-04-2012 12:02am

hondasam wrote: »

I think they did the same thing when the ban on burning rubbish came in. It's just to scare people I think. The pilots can get a bit of practise in while they are at it, take a few pics and sell them.

didnt know Readers Wives were doing a bogger special

cocoshovel · 30-04-2012 12:02am

a Cessna 172? Probably burns less than a bloody 4x4 jeep would and covers a far bigger area. This isnt even that big of a deal nor is it costing us all that much. Hush.

FoxT · 30-04-2012 12:03am

Irish Air Force in Cessna Bog Horror Shock!

Biggins · 30-04-2012 12:03am

TheChizler wrote: »

Surely we could be commending them for saving money in this case? The Air Corps would probably be doing pointless exercises anyway as training, it's great that they're being put to proper use. Also can you imagine trying to inspect thousands of acres of bog for change from the ground? You'd have to have dozens of rangers traipsing around by foot for weeks to be as effective as a few hours flying every month or two. The Parks and Wildlife service and Air Corps are showing initiative and great co-operation in doing this, things you don't see much in other services across the country.

Two men in car looking outwards with binoculars might be cheaper and have less carbon admissions too - which we have to pay for in using fuel up/creating pollution too?

Mr. Rager · 30-04-2012 12:06am

It's like the State thinks they're playing Call of Duty

TheChizler · 30-04-2012 12:10am

Biggins wrote: »

Two men in car looking outwards with binoculars might be cheaper and have less carbon admissions too - which we have to pay for in using fuel up/creating pollution too?

Two men with binoculars can survey thousands of acres of inconsistent terrain from a roadside position - including depressions where cutting might not be as obvious - more effectively than two men with binoculars at 1000 ft?

Biggins · 30-04-2012 12:13am

TheChizler wrote: »

Two men with binoculars can survey thousands of acres of inconsistent terrain from a roadside position - including depressions where cutting might not be as obvious - more effectively than two men with binoculars at 1000 ft?

You have a point to be fair - but the whole thing just seems a bit daft when as someone pointed out, much more of our bogs is being exported!
...But lets send up what is an expensive plane per hour just to catch the little guy who can at the end of the day only cut so much himself?

It just seems a tad weird and funny, something typical 'Orish' thats all...

TheChizler · 30-04-2012 12:16am

Biggins wrote: »

You have a point to be fair - but the whole thing just seems a bit daft when as someone pointed out, much more of our bogs is being exported!
...But lets send up what is an expensive plane per hour just to catch the little guy who can at the end of the day only cut so much himself?

It just seems a tad weird and funny, something typical 'Orish' thats all...

It does seem a bit daft on first impressions all right! I suppose the reaction depends on your POV on protected bogs and whether it's worth the risk of fines or not.

charlemont · 30-04-2012 12:18am

I wonder are there any SAM7's still hidden around...

Born to Die · 30-04-2012 12:21am

IF we don't control it were will all the "willo the wisps" go?

Conservation has swayed me.

patwicklow · 30-04-2012 12:32am

They can take the man out of the bog but cant take the the bog out of the man. Just more and more EU control when is this country going to stand up
and take no more of this were losing freedom of the land day by day, A god given right to us and its been taken away Let the people cut turf it has been done for thousands of years..

Thrill · 30-04-2012 12:55am

charlemont wrote: »

I wonder are there any SAM7's still hidden around...

Bog cutters - The Irish Al-Qaeda.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t136/hogworth/turf.jpg

humbert · 30-04-2012 1:08am

News sources lie and manipulate. This is the cheapest ****tiest plane being used to survey huge tracts of bog for a relatively minor crime.

This is a good and admirable thing. I only wish there was the same innovation and diligence in all/any other areas of government.

Biggins · 30-04-2012 1:13am

humbert wrote: »

...plane being used to survey huge tracts of bog for a relatively minor crime. .

...Thats what I find funny/odd!
For what really is a very small crime - especially (but not only) when compared to the much BIGGER amounts taken out in official act - the waste, if not the further expense seems a tad over-reactionary for the small amount that one person is going to take away?

mikom · 30-04-2012 1:23am

And still not one banker jailed......

Foot some turf Paddy........ you're busted.

oppenheimer1 · 30-04-2012 1:26am

Biggins wrote: »

Could they not just pay some bog cutters each part of that instead of sending up the plane? :pac:

It would make more sense? I honestly dunno - it just seems funny but daft at the same time.

Thats exactly what they're doing. The people who cut turf on these bogs are being compensated - handsomely.

bnt · 30-04-2012 1:27am

There are bogs, and then there are bogs. Some are protected, and not just because of natural beauty or wildlife. The peat layer is shallow, and cutting in the wrong place can lead to whole hillsides coming down when it rains e.g. as shown here. Not good. :eek:

Biggins · 30-04-2012 1:28am

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Thats exactly what they're doing. The people who cut turf on these bogs are being compensated - handsomely.

Fair enough, good to hear.
Anyone know whats the actual fine for been caught doing this illegal bog cutting?
(I hope its more than the cost of flying the said plane per hour at least, if this is such a serious crime that they spend larger amounts so that they can only fine in much smaller ones! Bless, good old Orish economic sense) :pac:

Again, I just think the whole thing is daft. Thats all.

humbert · 30-04-2012 1:29am

Biggins wrote: »

...Thats what I find funny/odd!
For what really is a very small crime - especially (but not only) when compared to the much BIGGER amounts taken out in official act - the waste, if not the further expense seems a tad over-reactionary for the small amount that one person is going to take away?

If the cost of detection and perhaps prevention is greater than the cost of the damage/repair is it better to do nothing?

I don't see a better alternative wrt surveillance than is being employed and the language of the article is disgustingly hyperbolic/manipulative, 'fixed wing aircraft', spy plane, full of ****.

I'm tempted to compare this to politicians getting helicopter rides across the country but that is obviously wrong and this is taking stern measures to stamp out petty-ish crime which I think the country needs a lot more of.

oppenheimer1 · 30-04-2012 1:31am

Biggins wrote: »

You have a point to be fair - but the whole thing just seems a bit daft when as someone pointed out, much more of our bogs is being exported!
...But lets send up what is an expensive plane per hour just to catch the little guy who can at the end of the day only cut so much himself?

It just seems a tad weird and funny, something typical 'Orish' thats all...

Little guy? Its the turf cutting contractors who they're out to catch. These people roll in with heavy track machinery and destroy all before them. Its actually sickening that its an EU directive that is forcing the government to protect our own environment. These bogs would be stripped back to the bedrock if these contractors and Ming had their way.

We don't own the land, but are merely custodians of the land for our children.

mikom · 30-04-2012 1:32am

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

We don't own the land, but are merely custodians of the land for our children.

Same excuse I give for the TV licence and the household charge.

Biggins · 30-04-2012 1:35am

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Little guy? Its the turf cutting contractors who they're out to catch. These people roll in with heavy track machinery and destroy all before them. Its actually sickening that its an EU directive that is forcing the government to protect our own environment. These bogs would be stripped back to the bedrock if these contractors and Ming had their way.

Well to be fair to you, that clearly makes more sense if thats the case all the time.

When I read the article first, I had visions of some poor Irish lad digging about in crappy holes and sods all around him, meanwhile trying to spot any planes which might be out to get the poor sod - or sods! :pac:

Randomer. · 30-04-2012 1:54am

Its a Cessna not an SR-71.

State using spy planes to catch bog cutters!

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