Kildare Senator To Reintroduce Bill To Tackle Illegal Encampments On The Curragh

Tuesday, 5 April 2022 11:41

File image: Curragh Plains via Kildare County Council

Following further encampments in the area

The Curragh of Kildare (Amendment) Bill will be reintroduced in the Seanad.

Kildare Senator, Fiona O'Loughlin will reintroduce the bill in the next couple of weeks, in response to further encampments on the Curragh.

On Tuesday morning the Fianna Fáil Senator noted there are currently 25 vehicles on the Ballysax side of the Curragh.

The new bill will amend the Curragh of Kildare Act 1961 "to make provision for the management and use of the Curragh whereby the Minister for Defence may grant a licence to persons for continuous occupation of any part of the Curragh for a specified period of time. Anyone residing on the Curragh without such a licence would be committing an offence."

Senator O'Loughlin has noted, “if enacted will require a licence to be granted by the Minister for Defence authorising anyone who occupies any part or parts of the Curragh for any purpose.

I have long advocated for the Curragh to be designated heritage park status, and in addition to its value in terms of heritage, as we all know, it is home to an active military base. There is no place for unauthorised encampments, and certainly not on the Curragh.

This Bill would target any person who occupies an area of the Curragh without a licence. Anyone in breach would be guilty of an offence and subject to a class A fine or imprisonment. We need to get tough on this issue, protecting our national heritage and our environment must come first.”

Senator O'Loughlin introduced the bill when she was a member of the Dáil, in 2019.

Senator O'Loughlin joined Eoin Beatty on this morning's 'Kildare Today':

More from Local News

Kfm Obituary Notices

Kfm obituaries notices are broadcast daily following the 8am, 10am, 1pm, 5pm news
Sharp Rise In M9 Collisions With Garda Call-Outs Up Year-On-Year

The figures, provided by An Garda Síochána, show a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Councillor Seeks Clarity On How Often Nightclubs and Late Bars In Naas Are Inspected For Fire Risks

Kildare Fire Service says all venues applying to renew their annual dance licence through the District Court were inspected in advance of the hearings.
Unpaid Eight-Month Work And Training Placement For Adults With Disabilities Branded "Extremely Unfair"

One Kildare mother told Kfm News that their child had been attending structured placements each weekday, typically from around 9:30am to 3pm, and in some cases carrying out tasks for up to two hours at a time - but are not receiving any form of payment.
Department Of Education Defends Kildare SNA Cuts Amid Claims Of Reduced Need At Some Schools

They said there "are many reasons why the level of need for SNA support in schools may fluctuate including falling enrolments, reduced or increased care needs and changing demographics as children move from primary to post-primary schools".
Naas Nurses Threaten Escalation As Staffing Row Deepens

Nurses spoke to Kfm News this week about issues they are dealing with on a daily basis.
Driving Tests Face Disruption As RSA Testers To Strike Next Week

The driving test centre in Naas is the only driving test centre in Kildare and attracts candidates from Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow and Laois.
Kfm Obituary Notices

Kfm obituaries notices are broadcast daily following the 8am, 10am, 1pm, 5pm news