Illegal encampments on Curragh Plains 'an affront to the people of Kildare'
According to reports, 'almost 100 caravans' have congregated illegally in recent days
A Kildare resident has raised concerns over illegal encampments which have been set up recently on the Curragh Plains in Kildare.
The issue was raised in the Seanad earlier this week by local Fianna Fáil Senator, Fiona O'Loughlin.
Senator O'Loughlin told the Seanad that last weekend “almost 100 caravans” congregated illegally on the Curragh Plains.
Rory de Bruir, from Kildare Town, has objected to the encampments, and has reported the matter to gardai.
“I went out for a cycle last Sunday; sometimes I cycle across the plains, and suddenly I discovered there's a big top, and there are in excess of 50 caravans located on an area which is to become a national park”, he told Leinster Leader this week.
“Earlier this year there were caravans in the area of Quirke's Gate, Melitta Road, and then subsequently on the far side of the railway line. These people appear every year in around spring time, and Kildare County Council invariably has to bring an application for an injunction to have them removed.”
According to Senator O'Loughlin, the cost incurred for the last illegal encampment on the Curragh Plains stood at €185,000.
Senator O'Loughlin said she spoke to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, recently about the matter.
She also spoke, she said, to the Secretary General of the Department of Defence and had meetings with the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan on the issue.
Mr de Bruir said that in this recent instance, the group appear to be from the UK, as the majority of vehicles have English registration plates.
“As I see it, people are camping on the Curragh Plains, and it is illegal.
“Every year Kildare County Council has to bring an action in the High Court, as I understand it, to get rid of travellers on the plains. But now, the actual numbers...you're talking between 50 and 70 caravans.”
The Curragh of Kildare (Amendment) Bill 2022 is a Private Members' Bill introduced by Senator O'Loughlin and Senator Mary Fitzpatrick.
The Bill aims to tackle long-term illegal encampments and illegal dumping on the Curragh plains while updating the original statutory rules established under the Curragh of Kildare Act 1961.
“I would like to see the Act in relation to the plains being implemented. But I would also like to see what our county councillors are doing about it, and what our TDs are doing about it. This simply shouldn't be happening”, Mr de Bruir added.
In a social media post, Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare South, Sean O Fearghail called the encampments “an affront to the courts, to the people of Kildare, and to our rich natural heritage.”
He said: “Having acknowledged the speed with which Ministers have moved in recent times and are moving to secure court orders to remove illegal encampments, I must admit today to being profoundly embarrassed that the government which I support has not yet brought forward the legislation which is absolutely essential to protect the Curragh. The political battle will have to be stepped up.”