Ireland High Court orders 70 caravans removed in Curragh trespass case
Travellers' caravans have parked on Department of Defence and racecourse lands near the Curragh Racecourse in Co Kildare for decades, with numbers reaching a record 89 last year. The Minister for Defence, who owns the lands, obtained an interim injunction against Nicole O'Brien and a large number of other caravan dwellers a year ago, but proceedings against her were paused due to her pregnancy. In April 2026, the High Court heard that most of the roughly 30 caravans that had arrived that year had left, with three remaining, and the matter was adjourned. On 18 June 2026, the High Court made an interlocutory order requiring approximately 70 caravans to be removed immediately, with the option of attachment and committal to prison for anyone who refuses to comply.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court30 Apr
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The Minister for Defence is seeking an injunction requiring occupants of caravans to vacate lands near the Curragh Racecourse in Co Kildare.
- Caravans have historically parked on the lands between May and August, with numbers reaching a record 89 last year.
- Where
- The lands are used for the Curragh Racecourse and Defence Forces training.
- When
- In 2026, caravans began arriving over the previous couple of months, with numbers initially at 18 and later another 15 arriving.
- In court
- The Minister obtained an interim injunction a year ago against Nicole O'Brien and a large number of other caravan dwellers.
- In April 2026, the High Court heard that most of the roughly 30 caravans had left, with three remaining, and the matter was adjourned to 12 May.
- On 18 June 2026, the High Court made an interlocutory order requiring approximately 70 caravans to be removed immediately.
- The order allows for attachment and committal to prison of anyone who refuses to comply.
- An order was granted that 28 other individuals who recently arrived with caravans be joined to the injunction proceedings.
- Other details
- Nicole O'Brien claimed she could not leave because she had given the Brownstown, Curragh address to gardaí as part of bail.
- The 2024 cost of cleaning up dumping on the lands was €185,000.
- Some caravan dwellers were hostile when security personnel, accompanied by gardaí and military police, served papers on them.
30 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe Minister for Defence is seeking an injunction requiring the occupants of the caravans to vacate the lands. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe Minister for Defence owns the lands and is seeking injunctions preventing trespass. (irishtimes.com)
- whereTwo caravans are parked at lands near the Curragh Racecourse in Co Kildare. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe lands have a number of uses including related to the racecourse and Defence Forces training. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThis month, caravans arrived with numbers initially at 18, and later another 15 arrived. (irishtimes.com)
- whenMost of the caravans had gone by 27 April. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe matter is scheduled to come back on 12 May. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Minister obtained an interim injunction a year ago against O'Brien and a large number of other caravan dwellers. (irishtimes.com)
- courtAn order was granted for 28 other individuals who recently arrived with caravans to be joined to the injunction proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Brian Cregan noted that none of the named and unnamed defendants had appeared before the court to answer the interim non-trespass orders. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe order was made interlocutory, meaning it remains in place pending full hearing of the case. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Minister has the option to seek attachment and committal to prison of anyone who refuses to comply. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThere is concern that a large number of caravans will turn up to attend a prayer meeting in Monasterevin in June. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCaravans have historically come from England or France and parked on the lands between May and August. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSix separate non-trespass orders were granted between 1992 and 2000. (irishtimes.com)
- otherLast year the number of caravans that turned up hit a record 89. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIt cost more than €64,000 to clean up rubbish after the caravans left last year and some €185,000 the previous year. (irishtimes.com)
- otherO'Brien claimed she could not leave because she had given the Brownstown, Curragh address to gardaí as part of bail. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA third caravan is occupied by an unidentified man who arrived last January. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThere has been a history over the decades of caravans coming from England or France and parking on the lands over the summer. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSerious dumping on the lands costs tens of thousands to clean up, with the 2024 bill at €185,000. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThere is concern that a large number of caravans will turn up to attend a prayer meeting in nearby Monasterevin this month. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSome caravan dwellers were hostile when security company personnel, accompanied by gardaí and military police, served papers on them. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe injunction proceedings were brought by the Minister for Defence, who owns the land. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe servers encountered hostility from some who refused to leave and said they would remain there no matter what. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCaravans parking on the land each summer has been a problem for decades due to interference with activities and waste left behind. (irishtimes.com)
- otherClean-up costs in the past have run into the tens of thousands of euro. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Travellers come from the UK and Ireland and as far afield as France and Belgium. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSome seven caravans from Belgium and France were found on the land that week. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA major Mass for Travellers is held around nearby Monasterevin in June, and two marquee tents were erected on the land. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Jun2026Seventy Travellers’ caravans must be removed from the Curragh, court orders
The High Court made an interlocutory order for the removal of approximately 70 Travellers' caravans from Defence Forces land in the Curragh, Co Kildare, with the option of attachment and committal to prison for non-compliance. The caravans had been arriving over the previous couple of months and the land is used for the racecourse and Defence Forces training.
- 6 Jun2026Two caravans parked on the Curragh are attracting others to the area, court told
Adds details on Nicole O'Brien's specific situation (interim injunction obtained a year ago, decision last year not to proceed due to pregnancy), the Minister's argument that her caravans attract others, the court's order to join 28 other individuals, and the €185,000 cleanup cost in 2024.
accused, Nicole O'Brien, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nicole O'Brienaccused, male - 30 Apr2026Most Traveller caravans on Department of Defence lands in the Curragh have left, court told
Reports the High Court hearing on 30 April 2026 where the Minister for Defence was granted ex parte permission to serve trespass proceedings on the three remaining caravan occupants, with the matter adjourned to 12 May 2026.
suspect, female, irish (judged from name)