Illegal occupation in Carlow ends after more than two weeks
Carlow County Council has been successful in removing illegal occupiers from a Council-owned field
An illegal occupation of land in Carlow has come to an end after more than two weeks.
Those living on the lands at L4058 between Éire Óg and the Ballinacarrig Road have exited the site.
Carlow County Council had “mobilised sub-contractors to initiate the process of giving effect to the notices, according to a post on Facebook by Carlow Councillor Fintan Phelan.
“With assistance from An Garda Siochána and South East Security Ltd. as agents for the council, the illegal occupants all decided to vacate these lands,” he added.
The people left with their caravans on Monday evening.
The Council has proceeded to clean up the site and to resecure it, including by liaising with the adjoining landowner.
They decided that they will place Kelly Blocks inside the locked gates to the field on the Ballinacarrig Road.
“Thanks to the residents for their continued patience and for liaising with me on this matter,” Cllr Phelan concluded in the post.
The Council had issued a five-day notice to evacuate the site to those occupying it, and when they failed to do so, the Council took the action to remove them.
The removal happened peacefully, with the Council telling those on the land that further action would be taken should they not leave, leading those occupying it to do so voluntarily.
Speaking to KCLR, Cllr Phelan said it is “disappointing” that the illegal encampment is set up almost every year.