Access is restricted at prestigious Kildare business premises

Access by the public has been restricted at a prominent scientific and research facility near Naas.

The action was taken after a number of caravans moved on to land adjacent to the Kerry Global Innovation Centre at Millennium Park.

Traffic barriers to the main entrance of the facility, which employs about 800 people, remain down and there is a security presence at an alternative access road, which is adjacent to the Irish Commercials/ Volvo Trucks and Buses operation.

Four uniformed members of an enforcement team are on duty to the entrance which has effectively been closed off by barriers with some nine caravans parked inside.

Signs reading “Kerry - Private Property” stand on either side of the road.

The Irish Times reported on Tuesday that Ravelin Ireland Ltd., the company which owns Millennium Park, had won High Court orders in relation to alleged trespass at Millennium Park.

The case related to a number of caravans, which arrived at a car park adjacent to Chestnut House in the park late last week.

Kerry is among the best known occupiers of the park.

The company invested an estimated €100m in the centre.

There were 800 people working there when then Taoiseach Enda Kenny performed the official opening just over 11 years ago.

That was expected to grow to 900 by the end of 2016 but in early 2021 Kerry announced plans to cut 150 jobs across its Irish operations.

Kerry has been contacted for comment.