Suspicious approaches to kids among Curragh complaints

SUSPICIOUS approaches to young kids, dog baiting and fighting, and people getting followed to their doors and threatened with weapons were among a litany of issues reported on the Curragh this year.

Illegal encampments sprung up across the publicly owned land in Co Kildare throughout the spring and summer, according to a briefing for Tánaiste Micheál Martin.

Department of Defence officials warned however that they didn’t have the powers to move on trespassers and suggested erecting fencing to block access or a change to the law.

A submission for Mr Martin – who is also Minister for Defence – said the illegal camping had begun in March and continued all through the year.

It said: “In addition to the issue of trespass itself, there are accompanying issues around illegal dumping, threatening (and) intimidating behaviour to both staff and local residents and users of the Curragh.

“(There are also) alleged incidents of staff and locals being followed home, incidents of calling to front doors with weapons, approaching children and asking for telephone numbers, (and) causing criminal damage with quad bikes to local sports facilities.” The Tánaiste was told as well of serious animal welfare issues with small dogs being used “as bait for dog fighting”.

There were fires set in vegetation that led to larger blazes along with “associated sanitary risks” from illegal encampments.

Mr Martin was told that while the department was responsible for the Curragh in County Kildare, it “lacks the enforcement mechanisms” to move trespassers on.

It said when issues were raised with them, their only option was to tell people to contact the gardaí.

The submission said the level of representations and complaints being received by members of the public and local politicians was increasing in frequency.

Some of the complaints included one from a woman who watched in horror as a dog was used as bait in illegal fighting.

A note of the incident said: “It was rescued and subsequently put down, as the dog was burned and had bite marks.” In another incident, residents reported callers to their house with one person threatened with a screwdriver.

“(Member of the public) was on to Kildare garda station and was informed that they cannot do anything unless the Department of Defence gets a court order,” said the report.

One person wrote of having their sheep killed by roaming dogs saying three animals had their “necks ripped (and) savaged”.

Another incident report said: “Today, people on a quad bike from there approached my … children who were out for a walk with a … friend.

“The quad bike got very close, and the children were asked for their phone numbers. I am very unhappy about the situation and am uncomfortable with them being there now.” The Department of Defence also released a site visit report from July which found widespread evidence of dumping.

It said: “There is … a crashed Audi TT beside the encampment. There are large piles of cut vegetation strewn on the perimeter of the camp.

“In addition, there are large dumps of household and domestic rubbish plus some burnt out mattresses, beds etc. I am also informed that when the lands have been vacated, there will be a lot of human waste matter left behind.” Asked about the records, which were released under FOI, the Department of Defence said they had nothing further to add.