Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 18019Trespass; nuisance · Co. Kildare

High Court adjourns Naas trespass case as protest de-escalates

Total Experience Limited, trading as Pastures New Accommodation, is constructing Ukrainian refugee accommodation at Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare, and was hampered by up to 50 protesters who erected a campsite blocking the site's entrances. The company secured a temporary ex-parte injunction from the High Court restraining protesters from obstructing access. The matter was heard on 4 March 2024 before Mr Justice Oisin Quinn, with no defendants appearing, and counsel sought to amend the proceedings to include trespass. On 5 March 2024, the plaintiff's counsel told the court the protest had de-escalated overnight and the campsite had been removed, and the matter was adjourned to the following Thursday with the injunction remaining in place.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court4 Mar
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Total Experience Limited, trading as Pastures New Accommodation, is constructing Ukrainian refugee accommodation at Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare.
  • The firm was contracted by the State to provide 985 beds in 387 cabins along with a dining marquee, laundry and recreation facilities.
  • Up to 50 protesters erected a campsite consisting of a tent or gazebo at the site's entrance, preventing larger articulated lorries from entering.
  • Protesters maintained a 24-hour protest using tactics including forming a human shield and parking cars in front of the entrances.
When
The facility was scheduled to open the week of 4 March 2024 but had not been possible to get up and running on time.
Charges
Counsel said the protesters are trespassing and the plaintiff needs to amend its proceedings to deal with the alleged trespass.
In court
  • The company secured a temporary injunction on an ex-parte basis restraining protesters from deliberately preventing or obstructing entrances to the site.
  • The matter was heard in the High Court on 4 March 2024 before Mr Justice Oisin Quinn, with no defendants appearing.
  • On 5 March 2024, counsel told the court the protest had de-escalated overnight and the campsite had been removed, and the matter was adjourned to the following Thursday with the injunction in place.
Other details
The company voiced concerns about aggressive social media posts regarding the protest, including calls to burn trucks and set fires at the entrance.
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPastures New Limited is constructing Ukrainian refugee accommodation facilities at Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatPastures New runs a site in Stradbally in use since September 2023 that can accommodate 950 Ukrainians temporarily. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatDespite the injunction, the protest remains ongoing and workers and trucks continue to have difficulties accessing the site. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatProtesters erected a campsite consisting of a tent or gazebo at the entrance to the site. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe campsite has prevented larger articulated lorries from entering the site. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe facility was scheduled to open the week of 4 March 2024 but had not been possible to get up and running on time. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatUp to 50 protesters were preventing persons and vehicles from entering or leaving the site. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatProtesters used tactics including forming a human shield and parking cars in front of the site's entrances. (leinsterexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe firm was contracted by the State to provide 985 beds in 387 cabins as well as a dining marquee, laundry and recreation facilities. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatTotal Experience Limited, trading as Pastures New Accommodation, is constructing facilities at Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare for families fleeing the war. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatA campsite had been erected by protesters at the property, alleged to amount to a trespass. (thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com)
  • whatUp to 50 protesters were maintaining a 24-hour protest preventing persons and vehicles from entering or leaving the site. (thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe firm has been contracted by the State to provide 985 beds in 387 cabins as well as a dining marquee, laundry and recreation facilities at the site. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe firm has been contracted by the State to provide 985 beds in 387 cabins as well as a dining marquee, laundry and recreation facilities. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereEmergency accommodation facilities for Ukrainian refugees are being built at Newhall, Naas, County Kildare. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeCounsel said the protesters are trespassing and the plaintiff needs to amend its proceedings to deal with the alleged trespass. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe company secured a temporary injunction restraining protesters from blocking entrances. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe matter returned before the High Court on Monday 4 March 2024 before Mr Justice Oisin Quinn. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtGary McCarthy SC, with Barry Mansfield Bl, represented the plaintiff. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtNo appearance was made by any of the defendants when the case was called on Monday. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Quinn accepted the matter remains urgent and adjourned it to later that week. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe court granted the company a temporary injunction on an ex-parte basis. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe company secured a temporary order restraining protesters from blocking the entrances to the site. (thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to Thursday of the following week with the injunction remaining in place. (thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe court granted the company a temporary injunction on an ex-parte basis restraining the protesters from deliberately preventing or obstructing entrances to the site. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtBarry Mansfield Bl told Ms Justice Siobhan Stack that matters had de-escalated overnight and the campsite had been removed. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe court granted the company a temporary injunction on an ex-parte basis restraining protesters from deliberately preventing or obstructing entrances. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe company voiced concerns about aggressive social media posts regarding the protest, including calls to burn trucks and set fires at the entrance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe company noted that other buildings have been burnt after being earmarked as accommodation for refugees. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherNone of the protesters attended the court on Monday nor were there any representations made on their behalf. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherPosts on a Facebook page linked to the protest were conciliatory in nature and indicated a willingness to participate in the proceedings. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Mar2024
    In courtkildarenow.com, its first report
    UPDATE: Protest at Kildare site where state plans to house Ukrainians has de-escalated, High Court told

    Reports that the protest has de-escalated, the campsite has been removed, and the High Court adjourned the proceedings to Thursday of the following week with the injunction remaining in place.

  2. 5 Mar2024
    In courtthejournal.ie, its first report
    Protest at Kildare site where State plans to house Ukrainians has 'de-escalated', court told

    Reports on a High Court hearing on 5 March 2024 where the plaintiff's counsel told the court the protest had de-escalated overnight and the campsite was removed; the matter was adjourned to the following Thursday with the injunction remaining in place.

    suspect
  3. 4 Mar2024
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Company that runs Laois Ukraine accommodation goes to court over Kildare blockade

    Reports the High Court hearing where the plaintiff sought an extension of the ex-parte injunction, wished to amend proceedings to include trespass, and asked to add further individual defendants. The court adjourned the matter as no defendants appeared.