Inhabitants of derelict Kildare building face eviction

The proposed development at Naas Cemex factory plans to demolish the existing building to make way for an Applegreen garage as well as other facilities.

Although planning permission has been recently appealed to an Bord Pleanála by an Taisce, the development if it goes ahead will result in the displacement of the Roma community currently living on the site.

It is estimated that around 11 people live at this site, with many living there for over a decade. The building is not fitted with electrics, which means there is no heating, water or sanitary facilities onsite.

Local parish charity, NaasPoint, have been assisting the group since 2019, which is run by local volunteers and group Chairperson Tom Keightley.

The group has continually donated the community food, clothes, gas cooking stoves as well as bottles of gas and other essential items. NaasPoint has also helped many of the people to get PPS numbers and have arranged for a “dedicated GP in Naas” to assist them medically.

Mr Keightley said: “These people are part of the community. They don’t cause any trouble. They don’t even get dole money. They’re good workers. Anyone who can work, works.”

Mr Keightley is certain that there has been no communication about the planned demolition from the council to the people living at the site.

“No one from the council has been onto them, and that is a fact,” he said. “This has been falling on deaf ears for at least the last two years. More could be done for them.

“I made them aware two years ago, 18 months ago, 12 months ago, and then 6 months ago and there is a notice up on the premises, so they are aware of the situation.

“At the end of the day they are human beings. The situation they are in is dire. The place is infested with rats.

“One lady is around five month’s pregnant at this stage. We are still waiting for a medical card for her.”

While Mr Keightley is a huge advocate for the Roma community resident at the site, he still believes that the site's proposed development will be good for Naas.

“It does need to be developed. It will make a great difference to Naas.”

However, he believes that more could be done to assist the community in finding alternative accommodation.

With regard to all authorities aware of the situation, Mr Keightley said: “Everyone is sympathetic, but that’s as far as it goes.” 

Naas councillor Bill Clear posted a video to social media last week speaking about the site, mentioning the Roma community that currently resides there.

“I am aware of people living here. The homeless service will be engaging with them to facilitate them and I will be helping them on that.” 

Cllr Clear spoke to Kildare Nationalist regarding this and explained that the homeless service and charity NaasPoint have been in contact with the group previously and that they have “been told all the way along” about the site’s planned demolition and development.

Cllr Clear continued: “They have been offered places before,” and explained that moving to alternative accommodation is ultimately “their decision.” 

“The site has been derelict for many, many years. It’s very important that it be developed,” he concluded.

Kildare County Council has stated that it is “not aware that any such contact” made between itself and the group living at the derelict site.

It said: “Kildare County Council has no jurisdiction over Naas Cemex Factory. The site is in private ownership and any notification in relation to vacating this site would be a matter for the site owner.” 

However, it offered that should anyone from the site needed help they should contact the council’s homeless team.