Big top tents and more caravans arrive in the Curragh

A KILDARE South TD has called for urgent legislative action for the Curragh following the establishment of recent illegal encampments on the plains.

Large big top tents, caravans and mobile homes appeared on the Curragh over the weekend, some of which is understood to be part of an unauthorised religious event.

Deputy Sean Ó’Fearghaíl TD said he was “profoundly embarrassed” that legislation aimed at safeguarding the Curragh had not yet been introduced, despite recent government efforts to secure court orders for the removal of unauthorised encampments.

The comments come amid continuing debate over the protection of the Curragh, and the legal mechanisms available to address unauthorised encampments – which have been an annual occurrence over the last number of years.

While acknowledging concerns raised by images of a large tented settlement on the plains, Deputy Ó’Fearghaíl said the religious group involved had not caused problems during previous visits.

“They themselves were not in any way problematic,” he said, noting that members of the group were observed collecting litter and maintaining facilities such as portable toilets.

However, he stressed that the issue extends beyond a single gathering.

“It’s not just one encampment. There’s a variety,” he said. “The bottom line is they shouldn’t be there in the first place.”

According to the TD, several other encampments are currently located across the Curragh, describing the situation as a “rolling recurrence” of unauthorised occupation.

The Department of Defence was back before the courts last week seeking further orders relating to encampments.

Deputy Ó’Fearghaíl has tabled a parliamentary question seeking details of the cost of obtaining court orders to remove encampments from the Curragh, which will come before the Dáil in the coming week.

“The cost is a problem, there’s no doubt about that,” he said. “But it’s the misuse of the place that’s the real problem.”

The TD reiterated his belief that new legislation is needed to provide stronger protections for the Curragh and reduce the need for repeated court applications.

“The government say they’re going to do something about it, but they need to do it far faster than they’re doing. They need to crank up the initiative and put new legislation in place that will prohibit this from happening,” he said.

Deputy Ó’Fearghaíl also highlighted the presence of horses tethered on the plains.

He said the bloodstock industry would have concerns about unvetted horses being brought onto the Curragh and potentially coming into proximity with thoroughbreds, raising biosecurity and disease-control issues. “That’s a whole other problem,” he said.