Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
278. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence in light of the annual establishment of illegal encampments on the Curragh Plains in late Spring early Summer, the strategies in place to prohibit these encampments occurring again in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15060/26]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Curragh Plains are some 5,000 acres in size and one of its unique features is the open nature of the Plains, and as such it is not practicable to fence off these lands. Last year my Department instructed a private security firm to serve Notices to Quit on trespassers in the Curragh through the Chief State Solicitor’s Office. This was implemented several times in 2025. My Department have also progressed the legal avenues available to address illegal encampments which resulted in a High Court Order in June 2025 ordering the inhabitants of that encampment to vacate the area. This was successful in dispersing the trespassers and it is intended to pursue the same strategy this summer.
