Minister for Defence provides update on illegal encampments in Kildare

Three High Court orders have been obtained against illegal encampments in County Kildare since May of 2026

By Ciarán Mather Published 25th Aug 2026, 17:30 BST An example of a past illegal encampment which was spotted on The Curragh | FILE PHOTOGRAPH Three High Court orders have been obtained against illegal encampments in County Kildare since May of 2026 Sign up to our Kildare Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kildare Live within your account.

The Minister for Defence has provided an update outlining plans to combat the presence of illegal encampments on one famous County Kildare location.

The latest comments, which come from Minister Helen McEntee TD, refer to sightings of illegal encampments on The Curragh , which have recurred throughout the year.

Some of these illegal encampments have drawn criticism, with one Kildare-based Senator, Fiona O’Loughlin (Fianna Fáil) referring to them as being ‘an affront to the people of Kildare’ during a Seanad appearance back in June.

Read More GALLERY: GAA Cúl Camp at Sarsfields GAA in Kildare Final M9 crash funeral hears warning over crime and apology to injured family "Algorithms can spread hatred" - Harris speaks out on Kildare crash Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch ties the knot And now, Minister McEntee, who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the deputy leader of Fine Gael, has issued an assurance to the people of Kildare that the government is currently working to combat illegal encampments currently situated on The Curragh.

Her statement was prompted by a parliamentary question on the matter, which was submitted by Labour Party TD for Kildare South, Mark Wall .

Minister for Defence Helen McEntee TD (Fine Gael) and Mark Wall, TD for Kildare South (Labour Party) | PHOTOGRAPH CREDIT: OIREACHTAS.IE Replying to Deputy Wall’s query, Minister McEntee confirmed to him that officials affiliated with her Department have been working closely with the Chief State Solicitor's Office in relation to the illegal encampments.

Her Department also told Deputy Wall that it is ‘actively pursuing’ legal means to remove another illegal encampment on the edge of The Curragh, which has reportedly seen a number of new encampments in the recent weeks .

Furthermore, a representative for Deputy Wall noted that since the end of May 2026, three High Court orders against those in illegal occupation on The Curragh have been obtained.

“These orders have been served on those in illegal occupation and a garda operation was carried out to enforce the orders,” they added.