Illegal encampment near well-known business site in Kildare sparks outcry

The presence of an illegal encampment near a well-known business site in County Kildare had sparked criticism from a local councillor.

Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer, who represents the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, told the Leinster Leader that she has notified Kildare County Council (KCC) about the encampment, which is located near the Lidl Regional Distribution Centre between Newbridge and Ladytown.

According to Cllr O'Dwyer, KCC now has responsibility for this road, as it has been Taken In Charge. 

Referencing past appearances of illegal encampments at the site, Cllr O'Dwyer said: "Significant funding has been spent, and there has been the addition of berms, but unfortunately, an encampment returns.

READ NEXT: Former fuel station in Kildare ‘is a derelict site’

"The gardaí can only do so much, and better measures need to be considered to physically prevent these recurring problems."

She also claimed that both businesses and residents in this region are being affected by the presence of illegal encampments "multiple times a year". 

In addition, Cllr O'Dwyer said: "The [nearby] environment will have to be cleaned up, with a number of streams in the area."

Lastly, she emphasised that she is "hugely disappointed that measures [of prevention and deterrence] to date have not worked" so far.

The Leader has contacted KCC for comment in relation to this situation.

Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer. File photograph

READ NEXT: BREAKING: Swimming pool in Kildare reopens to the public

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.