dublin

Ireland's first genetically modified crop has been sabotaged by a group of environmental activists styling themselves the Gaelic Earth Liberation Front. Police launched a criminal investigation into the destruction of a one-acre crop of genetically modified sugar beet, being grown under licence by US chemical company Monsanto on a state research farm in County Carlow, about 50 miles from Dublin.

The crop had been genetically modified to resist the company's herbicide Roundup, and a three-year trial had been approved by Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency, which insists there is no threat to the environment. But, despite the assurance, the project caused a storm of protest, with environmentalists staging demonstrations, mounting pickets and taking court action in an effort to stop it.

Six months ago, the Irish High Court finally gave Monsanto the go-ahead for the crop trials. But such was the level of protest that the company abandoned plans to conduct the trials at three separate Irish farms, using only the Carlow research farm.

In the attack, much of the almost mature beet was destroyed, and the rest dug up. The Gaelic Earth Liberation Front, a previously unknown group, said in a statement: “This was Ireland's first genetically engineered crop and we hope it will be the last.”

Patricia McKenna, a Green Party member who represents Dublin in the European Parliament, praised those responsible, adding: “If Monsanto, which was carrying out the trials, and the Environmental Protection Agency, which licensed them, insist on playing games with the Irish environment, then fair play to those who challenge them through peaceful direct action.”

Monsanto described her comment as “extraordinary, given that this was an illegal act”. It said it was “shocked and dismayed at this act of wanton damage”, and accused those responsible of having no interest in scientific research or the benefits it could bring. Monsanto intends to resume the trials as soon as possible.

A spokesman for Genetic Concern, an Irish environmentalist lobby which led the opposition, denied any involvement in the sabotage, or knowledge of the new group. But he added: “We're not surprised. There are a lot of people very annoyed the tests went ahead without adequate public debate.”