High Court grants injunctions against caravan trespass on State land in Portlaoise
More than 100 caravans arrived on 426 acres of State land at the Great Heath of Maryborough, Portlaoise, Co Laois, beginning around 22 June 2026 when Gardaí reported about 50 vehicles and growing to an estimated 80 to 100 caravans by 25 June. The land, owned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Infrastructure, is one of the few surviving semi-natural grasslands in Ireland and contains listed national monuments including an Iron Age rath and ring barrows. The encampment is within 20 to 30 metres of private dwellings, and Blackwater security staff recognised some occupants from France and England who they had previously met in the Curragh. On 30 June 2026, Judge Brian Cregan granted interim injunctions on an ex parte basis against persons unknown and 11 named people for trespass, with the application made by barrister Dylan West for the Minister. The judge indicated the case could return to court on Friday.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court30 Jun
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- More than 100 caravans arrived on State land in Co Laois, with portable toilets and skips delivered but no facilities for processing litter and waste.
- Where
- The encampment is on 426 acres at the Great Heath of Maryborough, Portlaoise, opposite the Heath GAA club, within 20 to 30 metres of some private dwellings.
- When
- Gardaí reported about 50 vehicles and caravans on the land around 22 June 2026, and three days later the number was estimated at between 80 and 100 caravans along with a large marquee.
- In court
- Judge Brian Cregan granted interim injunctions on an ex parte basis on 30 June 2026, with the application made by barrister Dylan West for the Minister.
- The judge said the case could come back on Friday.
- Charges
- The injunctions are against persons unknown and 11 named people for trespass.
- Other details
- The land is owned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Infrastructure and is largely unenclosed, one of the few surviving semi-natural grasslands in Ireland.
- Listed national monuments on the heath include an Iron Age rath, several ring barrows and a linear ditch.
- Blackwater security staff recognised occupants from France and England who they had met before in the Curragh.
- The land was traditionally used for grazing sheep.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMore than 100 caravans arrived on State land in Co Laois (irishtimes.com)
- whatPortable toilets and skips were delivered to the land with no facilities for processing litter and waste (irishtimes.com)
- whatThree days later, Delaney estimated between 80 and 100 caravans along with a large marquee (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe injunctions cover 426 acres at the Great Heath of Maryborough, Portlaoise, opposite the Heath GAA club (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe encampment is within 20 to 30 metres of some private dwellings (irishtimes.com)
- whenGardaí reported about 50 vehicles and caravans on the land around 22 June 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Brian Cregan granted the interim injunctions on an ex parte basis (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe application was made by barrister Dylan West for the Minister on an ex parte basis (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge said the case could come back on Friday (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe land is owned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Infrastructure (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe land is largely unenclosed and one of the few surviving semi-natural grasslands in Ireland (irishtimes.com)
- otherListed national monuments on the heath include an Iron Age rath, several ring barrows and a linear ditch (irishtimes.com)
- otherBlackwater security staff recognised occupants from France and England who they had met before in the Curragh (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe land was traditionally used for grazing sheep (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Jun2026Caravans have moved from the Curragh to State land in Portlaoise, court hears
Reports the High Court granting interim injunctions against trespass at State land in Portlaoise, with details on the encampment, the land's biodiversity significance, and the involvement of Blackwater security staff who recognised some occupants from the Curragh.