Castletown Controversy: Kildare TD Says OPW Minister Is Stoking Tensions Amid Criminal Investigation

Friday, 16 May 2025 16:44

By Martin Osborne

Vehicle overturned at Donaghcumper House

Minister Moran has claimed that OPW staff are being "bullied" at Castletown House.

OPW Minister Kevin "Boxer" Moran is facing pressure to clarify public remarks made during a radio interview after "failing" to clearly distance local community groups from a major criminal investigation into vandalism at an OPW property.

Minister Moran was questioned about a Garda investigation into €500,000 worth of damage at Donaghcumper House, an OPW-managed site.

His response, however, drew immediate criticism for not explicitly separating the community campaign around nearby Castletown House from the criminal acts under investigation.

That's according to Kildare North Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly.

Minister Farrelly accused Minister Moran of blurring the lines between legitimate protest and illegal activity.

The groups in question were formed after the closure of M4 access to Castletown House 18 months ago - a move that sparked widespread public concern over the future of one of Kildare’s most valued cultural sites.

Farrelly said the groups have consistently condemned vandalism and any alleged mistreatment of OPW workers, but the Minister’s comments risked inflaming tensions rather than easing them.

He said Minister Moran's "failure" to explicitly support the community’s peaceful stance undermines months of local advocacy and dialogue.

Minister Moran has claimed that OPW staff are being "bullied" at Castletown House.

He said he examined a letter given to him by staff members.

He said the letter handed to him outlined how staff feel and he "can't believe" some of the aspects staff highlighted.

He said staff said they are being filmed going to work or if they "go for a drink at night" they are being bullied or contacted and that they don't "feel safe".

Three staff members have retired and around eight staff have left in the past 18 months, according to Minister Moran.

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