Irish Defence Forces explain reason behind installation of CCTV units on Kildare's Curragh Plains

The Irish Defence Forces has explained its reasoning behind the installation of CCTV units on The Curragh Plains.

The eight separate CCTV towers were brought to the attention of the Leinster Leader by Newbridge-based businessman and former Kildare county councillor Mark Lynch (At the time, Mr Lynch was associated with Sinn Féin, but he has since informed the Leader that he has distanced himself from the party).

According to Mr Lynch, whose father was in the Defence Forces, the installations are 'totally inappropriate'.

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Giving a brief background on the structures, Mr Lynch explained that back in 2023, eight large CCTV monitoring stations (including solar panels) 'were erected without planning permission across The Curragh Plains, a proposed natural heritage area'.

He claimed that some of the structures 'are already falling apart', with some solar panels 'strewn on the ground'. He also alleged the presence of 'broken metal fixtures'.

'A DISGRACE'

Mr Lynch in particular took aim at the current leadership of the Defence Forces, calling it 'a disgrace'.

He alleged: "They are now patrolling our waters with British military vessels; they are using Mindmill, a British psychometric assessment company to assess who is eligible to join the Defence Forces and they defile The Curragh Plains, a proposed natural heritage area."

He added: "The Irish Defence Forces need to immediately remove the structures they erected across The Curragh Plains, as they are totally inappropriate."

Mr Lynch concluded by telling the Leader that he has been engaging with KCC's unauthorised development team in relation to the structures.

"I expect that KCC will have the constructions forcibly removed if the Defence Forces do not see the error of their ways and remove the structures themselves; The Curragh Plains are not a playground for the Military," he said.

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RESPONSE

When asked by the Leinster Leader about the matter, a representative for the Defence Forces provided the following response: "The Irish Defence Forces can confirm that CCTV units have been deliberately positioned along the perimeter designated range danger areas on The Curragh Plains which are formally established military training areas.

"Their purpose is to provide range conducting staff with early warning of unauthorised entry into live firing areas."

The rep continued: "Safety is the primary consideration of all Defence Forces activities conducted on The Curragh Plains and the installation of these CCTV cameras is a proportionate and necessary measure to protect both members of the public and Defence Forces from the very real risks associated with military training. 

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"Under Section 86 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 2000, developments and installations required for the operation of the Defence Forces are exempt from standard planning permission requirements.

"The CCTV installations fall within this statutory provision."

The representative concluded by asserting that the Defence Forces: 'remains committed to the responsible stewardship of The Curragh Plains'.

In other Defence Forces-related news, earlier this month, the Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, visited the Commissioning Ceremony of the 101st Army Cadet Class at the Defence Forces Training Centre in The Curragh Camp.

52 Cadets were commissioned as officers of the Permanent Defence Force at this event.

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