The cost of cleaning up the Curragh Plains following illegal encampments in 2024 amounted to €185,944.94, according to a parliamentary question tabled by South Kildare TD Sean O’Fearghail.

The significant clean-up cost was revealed in response to the TD’s query about the government’s plans for managing the Curragh, preventing future illegal encampments, and dealing with the associated expenses.

Government Response on Curragh Management

In his parliamentary question, Deputy O’Fearghail asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what specific measures were being taken to ensure illegal encampments are prevented in 2025, what costs had been incurred by his Department in addressing the issue, and whether he would make a statement on the matter.

In response, the Tánaiste stated that the Department of Defence has been working closely with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) to ensure that all legal steps are taken promptly in cases of trespassing on the Curragh Plains.

He also clarified that responsibility for policing incidents of trespass or criminal damage lies with An Garda Síochána, with whom his Department has been engaging.

Long-Term Solutions Under Review

Beyond the immediate clean-up efforts, the Tánaiste highlighted the ongoing Curragh Consultancy Project, a collaboration between the Department of Defence and Kildare County Council, aimed at developing a long-term management strategy for the Curragh.

As part of this initiative, the Conservation Management Plan report has identified several potential measures, including a review of the Curragh Bye-Laws and the Curragh of Kildare Act. These legislative amendments could provide more effective solutions to tackling illegal encampments and addressing broader concerns about anti-social behaviour on the Plains.

“I remain fully committed to pursuing a modern and sustainable regulatory model in managing the historically important landscape that is the Curragh,” the Tánaiste stated.

External Waste Removal Contract

An external waste removal firm is currently contracted to handle the clean-up of waste from illegal encampments on the Curragh. According to the Tánaiste, the cost of these clean-ups for the most recent year, ending December 31, 2024, totalled €185,944.94.

The significant expenditure underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining and protecting the Curragh Plains, one of Ireland’s most historically and environmentally significant landscapes.

What’s Next for the Curragh?

With growing public concern over the preservation of the Curragh and the financial burden of repeated clean-ups, the focus will now turn to how the government implements new strategies to curb illegal encampments and reduce the taxpayer-funded costs associated with them.

The debate over how best to balance heritage protection, environmental management, and public access to the Curragh will no doubt continue in the months ahead.