Approximately 30 caravans that had been stationed on Department of Defence and racecourse lands in the Curragh, Co Kildare, have now vacated the site, although three remain and are said to be encouraging others to move in, the High Court has heard.
The Minister for Defence is seeking a court injunction to compel the occupants of the remaining caravans – believed to be members of the Traveller community – to leave the land, reports Breaking News.
The Department maintains that their continued presence could attract further encampments, along with associated dumping and related issues.
There are also concerns that a significant number of caravans may arrive ahead of a prayer gathering scheduled to take place in nearby Monasterevin in June, reports Breaking News.
Over several decades, caravans—often arriving from England or France—have regularly parked on lands owned by the Department of Defence and at the Curragh Racecourse, typically between May and August.
This has led to a recurring need for legal intervention, with six separate non-trespass orders granted between 1992 and 2000, usually resulting in the groups eventually leaving, reports Breaking News.
The court previously heard that last year saw a record 89 caravans arrive before an order was secured requiring them to vacate.
Issues raised have included caravans occupying horse training gallops and areas near army firing ranges, disrupting military exercises, as well as the accumulation of significant waste described as “mountains of rubbish”, reports Breaking News.
The Department of Defence stated that cleanup costs exceeded €64,000 last year and reached approximately €185,000 the year before.
In an affidavit seeking the latest injunction, Sarah Kelly, an assistant principal officer in the department’s property management division, said most occupants left voluntarily last year, reports Breaking News.
However, one caravan belonging to Nicole O’Brien remained due to her advanced pregnancy and her responsibility for four children.
She stated she could not leave the Brownstown area of the Curragh because she had provided the address to gardaà as part of her bail conditions, reports Breaking News.
Earlier this month, additional caravans arrived, initially bringing the total to 18, with a further 15 joining shortly afterwards.
Following discussions between some occupants and the department’s lands team, most of the caravans had departed by April 27, Ms Kelly said, reports Breaking News.
However, Ms O’Brien’s caravan, along with a second unit she said she owns, remains at the site, and her partner—recently released from prison—is also living there.
A third caravan, occupied by an unidentified man who arrived in January, is also still present, reports Breaking News.
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