A former fayor of Galway County Council has appealed to both sides in the turf dispute to stand back to avoid confrontation.
Councillor Jimmy McClearn made his appeal after turf was cut recently on one of the 53 bogs that has been protected.
Turfcutters in the east Galway area where the turf has been cut have placed roadblocks on roads leading to the bog and say they will stop any inspections by department officials until they bring the turf home.
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht said that it is monitoring compliance with the ban and will investigate where breaches may occur.
It added that those who break the law face prosecution, confiscation of machinery and the cost of restoration of any environmental damage to the bogs.
