25 separate illegal encampments on Curragh Plains, Kildare, last year, Seanad told

A Fianna Fáil Senator has raised in the Seanad the matter of illegal encampments on the Curragh Plains, Co Kildare.

According to Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, last year there were 25 separate illegal encampments on the Curragh Plains, “one of which consisted of as many as 35 caravans.”

Senator O'Loughlin, who has been vocal on the issue, previously brought forward a Private Member's Bill on the protection of the Curragh.

She told the Seanad that the Curragh, consisting of 5,000 acres in the heartland of the country, is of great cultural, heritage and ecological importance.

She said this week: “I raise this issue again because while many of us acknowledge there have been many problems in the management of the Curragh, which has been under the auspices of the Department of Defence, and there have been by-laws to supposedly protect the Curragh, the present Curragh legislation is not fit for purpose.

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“We have had many problems over recent years. This was especially the case last year when we had 25 separate illegal encampments, one of which consisted of as many as 35 caravans. This has caused major problems on the Curragh for those neighbouring the area and for businesses working on its edge, including hospitality businesses.

“The bills for the clean-ups have amounted to millions of euro over recent years. Last year alone, the cost was €200,000. It is very important that something is done.”

According to Senator O'Loughlin, the Department of Defence and Kildare County Council commissioned a survey and report on the Curragh, to which some 3,500 people responded.

In December 2024, the then Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Deputy Micheál Martin, published the proposed Curragh Plains conservation management plan and interpretation, branding and wayfinding plan.

Senator O'Loughlin said: “These were two extremely important plans to try to preserve the importance of the Curragh for all those who use it. One recommendation is that there would be a new management plan and a different organisation would take over the management of the Curragh.

“It is vitally important that work is done to ensure this happens. It is also extremely important as we approach St. Patrick's Day and Easter, when illegal encampments start, that we do not have a recurrence of what happened last year and in previous years. I would like to find out from the Minister of State what plans are in place for the short, medium and long term.”

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer, responding to Senator O'Loughlin, said in relation to illegal encampments on the Curragh that the Department of Defence “does not accept” that those occupying the encampments have “any right” to reside on the Curragh Plains.

As such, he said, the Department has engaged with the Chief State Solicitor's office, CSSO, “in anticipation of any potential trespassing to ensure all legal steps are taken promptly to protect the plains.”

In the case of trespass or criminal damage, Deputy Buttimer stated, it is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána to police the situation, adding his Department has engaged with the force on the issue.

With regard to long-term challenges in managing the Curragh Plains, Deputy Buttimer said that the Department of Defence is “working to ensure we move to a modern and sustainable regulatory model in managing this historically important landscape.”