Figures released by the Defence Minister reveal the cost of clearing fly-tipping and waste left behind after unauthorised encampments since 2016.
More than €1.5 million has been spent cleaning up illegal dumping, fly-tipping and the aftermath of illegal encampments on the Curragh Plains since 2016.
The figure includes the cost of removing large quantities of household and biological waste left behind following illegal encampments. The figures also highlight the ongoing cost to the taxpayer of repeated clean-up operations on the Curragh Plains.
The clean-up costs were revealed by Defence Minister Helen McEntee in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil Kildare North TD Naoise Ó Cearúil.
Images sent by Kfm listener of dumping near the Rathbride Cross, Curragh Plains
Under Ireland's litter laws, people caught dumping waste or littering in a public place can face:
- An on-the-spot fine of €150
- A fine of up to €3,000 on conviction in the District Court
- A further fine of up to €600 for every day the offence continues following conviction
- Fines of up to €130,000 for causing environmental pollution, as well as daily fines of up to €10,000 for continuing offences following conviction in the Circuit Court
Illegal dumping, waste and unauthorised encampments have remained a recurring issue on the Curragh Plains for a number of years.
Earlier this year, Defence Minister Helen McEntee confirmed that an initial scoping exercise had been carried out into the possible establishment of a dedicated agency to oversee the management and protection of the Curragh. The findings of that exercise have not yet been published.
Kfm was recently sent photographs by a listener showing large amounts of rubbish and waste left behind following an illegal encampment near Rathbride Cross on the Curragh.
Images sent by Kfm listener of dumping near the Rathbride Cross, Curragh Plains
Clean-up costs on the Curragh Plains (including VAT) as revealed by the Minister for Defence Helen McEntee;
2016: €237,226.12
2017: €231,911.79
2018: €214,706.57
2019: €180,277.05
2020: €77,270.80
2021: €58,279.61
2022: €159,336.25
2023: €125,306.14
2024: €196,466.84
2025: €44,223.14
Images sent by Kfm listener of dumping near the Rathbride Cross, Curragh Plains
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