High Court orders removal of 70 Travellers' caravans from the Curragh
The High Court ordered the removal of approximately 70 Travellers' caravans from Defence Forces land near the Curragh Racecourse in Co Kildare. The Minister for Defence, who owns the land, brought trespass injunction proceedings after caravans began arriving over the previous couple of months. An interim injunction had been obtained a year earlier against Nicole O'Brien, a woman, and other caravan dwellers, and on 6 June 2026 the court ordered that 28 recently arrived individuals be joined to the proceedings. On 18 June 2026, Judge Brian Cregan made an interlocutory order for the removal of the caravans pending a full hearing, with the Minister able to seek attachment and committal to prison for non-compliance.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court6 Jun
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The High Court ordered the removal of approximately 70 Travellers' caravans from Defence Forces land in the Curragh, Co Kildare.
- Where
- The caravans were parked on lands near the Curragh Racecourse used for racecourse activities and Defence Forces training.
- When
- The interlocutory removal order was made on 18 June 2026, following court proceedings that began in early June 2026.
- Cause
- Caravans had been arriving on the land over the previous couple of months, interfering with racecourse and Defence Forces training activities.
- Charges
- The Minister for Defence brought injunction proceedings for trespass on land he owns.
- In court
- An interim injunction had been obtained a year earlier against Nicole O'Brien and a large number of other caravan dwellers, but it was decided last year not to proceed further against O'Brien due to her pregnancy.
- On 6 June 2026 the court ordered that 28 other individuals who recently arrived with caravans be joined to the injunction proceedings.
- On 18 June 2026 Judge Brian Cregan made an interlocutory order for the removal of the caravans, pending a full hearing of the case.
- Sentence
- The Minister has the option to seek attachment and committal to prison of anyone who refuses to comply with the order.
- Other details
- Nicole O'Brien, a woman, owns or occupies two caravans on the land that have been there for some time.
- Some caravan dwellers were hostile when security personnel, accompanied by gardaí and military police, served papers on them.
- The cost of cleaning up serious dumping on the lands in 2024 was €185,000.
- Caravans parking on the land each summer has been a recurring problem for decades, with dwellers coming from the UK, Ireland, France, and Belgium.
19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTwo 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)
- 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 that 28 other individuals who recently arrived with caravans 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)
- otherThe Minister for Defence owns the lands on which the caravans are parked (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)
- otherThe cost of cleaning up serious dumping on the lands in 2024 was €185,000 (irishtimes.com)
- otherThere is concern that a large number of caravans will turn up to attend a prayer meeting in nearby Monasterevin (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, female, irish (judged from name)