For most of April a makeshift campsite consisting of up to 20 caravans has been situated along both sides of the bog road between Wilkinstown and Carlanstown in Co Meath, causing serious inconvenience to local people and farmers. According to local farmers, the already-narrow road has become impassable for tractors and barely passable by car.

Health and safety has also become an issue, with some farmers claiming it is unsafe to drive down the road because of the number of children playing on it at any given time. Concerns have been raised at the lack of sanitation as well, while there is also no bin collection for the site.

Farmers are having to take detours in order to avoid the road so they can access their land by tractor. A local farmer told the Irish Farmers Journal that a four mile detour had to be taken in order for him to spread fertiliser on his land.

In a statement to Irish Country Living, local Fine Gael TD Helen Mc Entee said: “Any farmer needs to be able to go about their business without the intervention of a third party on their land. This applies to everybody.”

An on-going problem

This has been an on-going problem on this stretch of road, with a campsite having been established there for periods over the past few years.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Michael Gallagher believes the situation has escalated.

“It’s become very serious, especially with regard to the environment. In the past few years, when the residents left the location, a lot of rubbish had to be cleared by the council at major expense to the taxpayer.”

Garda intervention

Furthermore, multiple threats have been directed at some locals, who have attempted to move the occupants from their property. In one case, Garda intervention between farmers and the occupants of the site avoided what one farmer described as “all-out war”. Farmers were not willing to go on the record.

In a statement to Irish Country Living, the Garda Síochána said: “We are fully aware of the situation and any reports on the matter we have dealt with. We continue to monitor the situation closely.”

While it has been confirmed that there has been garda intervention, it is claimed that any occupants who leave the site are immediately replaced by new people.

Coillte has removed the occupants from its land, but in recent days it has been confirmed that this land has been occupied once more. According to the body: “Coillte is aware of developments in Co Meath and is working with relevant stakeholders on the matter.”

Traveller rights

Traveller rights organisation Pavee Point emphasised the history of the camping site and said a solution to the problem must involve collaboration with the local authority in Meath.

“There is a long history and tradition of travellers coming to this particular site in Meath. This situation is not ideal for the farmers or the travellers, and the last thing we want is anybody’s rights interfered with,” Pavee point said.

“It is up to the Meath County Council to find and provide temporary accommodation for the short time they are there. They are obliged and expected to do so under the 1998 Traveller Accommodation Act,” said the spokesperson.

Despite being contacted, the local authority in Meath has declined to comment on the situation.