LATEST: Another encampment of caravans appears on the Curragh Plains in Kildare

The third encampment appeared in the past 48 hours

placeholder image — The third encampment appeared in the past 48 hours

This is not good

A third encampment of caravans has appeared on the Curragh Plains despite Covid-19 restrictions on essential-only travel which can be enforced by new laws.

Up to ten caravans and several vehicles are now located off the main (R415) Kildare to Milltown road near Rathbride Cross Roads.

The encampment has only moved to the area in the past 48 hours as it had not been there earlier in the week.

There are currently two other encampments on the Curragh Plains.

On Monday, drone photographs showed 23 caravans at the main encampment on Walsh's Hill off the R445 (below).

Another smaller encampment of up to six caravans and vehicles was located near the intercity rail line (below).

The Department of Defence, which has official jurisdiction over the Curragh Plains, said on Monday that it is not viable to move on the large encampment until after the Covid-19 restrictions.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin has said that the Curragh is a place of great ecological, archaeological and cultural importance and is being widely used by local people for their daily exercise within 2km.

She said: "For several years, there have been ongoing issues with illegal dumping and encampments on the Curragh which completely detract from its beauty and affect the many local people who use it for leisure purposes."

Speaking about the large encampment, she said: “In the short term, swift and decisive action must be taken to remove this encampment as soon as that is possible. I understand the difficulties this poses for our Gardai and Military Police and they should be given whatever State help they require."