Locals alarmed as illegal Curragh encampment sparks new debate

Local Senator and Newbridge resident Fiona O’Loughlin has called in the Seanad for a national debate on how the country deals with illegal encampments, after a collection of over 40 vans pitched up first at Sunnyhill on Monday (1 July), before moving over to Rathbride Cross on Wednesday (3 July), and still there at the weekend.

“It’s the same bunch as was there for years,” she said.

“On the Sunnyhill side it was a very compact area where the set-up, and a nearby B&B had to close because of them,” she said.

However, neither Cllrs Peggy O’Dwyer nor Chris Pender reported hearing any constituent complaints about such an encampment, and a garda source said: “The lads were speaking with them yesterday, and they said they were moving. 

"I was assured they were moving today (4 July)”.

However, a resident of the Sunnyhill area who spoke with the Kildare Nationalist said: “They were so close you could nearly see what they were having for breakfast … they nearly parked in her [friend] front garden”.

When asked if they were Irish or English registered vehicles, she said: “I couldn’t tell the difference, but they’re all yellow registrations”.

“It’s frustrating. We can’t even put a tent out on the Curragh, and we’re moved, but they come and are very intimidating … the noise at night with the dogs barking,” she sighed.

“It’s the same old, same old, déjà vu as they say,” said the Senator.

“So, I once again had to raise the issue of illegal encampments on the Curragh Plains in the senate.

“This is an issue I have raised consistently over the years, and I have even introduced legislation in Leinster House, on two occasions, once in the Dáil and once in the Seanad, which would effectively deal with encampments on the Curragh but to no avail.

“The current encampment, consisting of 40 vans, is a huge concern, and I have been speaking to local people who have expressed concern in terms of animal welfare and in terms of the potential damage to the Curragh itself.

“I have been in touch with local gardaí and the Tánaiste’s (and Minister for Defence) office in terms of the current encampment, but we need to see progress in terms of the wider issue of dealing with illegal encampments,” she concluded.

It's believed that a meeting at senior level between an Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces to discuss the issue was to occur yesterday, Monday 8 July, but neither State entity would confirm before going to press.