KILDARE: 18 April 2001: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. Residents of Kildare have been told that a proper security barrier will be installed at an entrance to a travellers halting site recently located at Magee Barracks (above). But assistant county manager for Kildare Tommy Skehan says the situation is ‘sensitive’ and ‘difficult and delicate’.
The site was provided for members of the Lynch family following High Court actions, but the Kildare Town Residents Council has complained to Kildare County Council about lack of security, damage to security fences and trees, and fears of rodent infestation because of litter and debris thrown around the site.
The residents council also says Army houses surrounding the site have had windows broken, doors broken and burned as firewood, and that people are entering the Asylum Seekers site on the barracks land by scaling a fence beside an adjoining business premises.
The chairman of the residents group, Jimmy Dignam, has also asked Kildare county manager Niall Bradley if gardai will have the power to immediately remove any ‘visitor caravans’ who come and park on the roadside if denied access to the site.
The matter was raised at last week’s meeting of Kildare County Council by Cllr Finnoula Dukes, who said local area councillors were not being kept up to date on information regarding the situation. She also wanted to know what progress has been made about a permanent solution to the matter, as there is only a one-year lease on the site.
Cllr Sean O Fearghaill said the formerly ‘discreet and screened off’ site was now open to view following the pulling down of a boundary fence and trees. “It is now dominated by views of caravans and washing,” he said. “We have a concern for our town and for this family who need to be accomodated. But we also need evidence of proper management of the site and the honouring of a security commitment. There is no evidence of any security at the site and considerable destruction has already been done.”
Tommy Skehan said a security barrier ‘has been ordered’ and another security man has been appointed so that there is 24-hour security at the site. “It is a very difficult and delicate situation and I have to put balance in all I do, and have a legal obligation from the court to find an alternative permanent site for that family within a year,” he said “I have signed an affadavid in relation to that as well."
©2001brianbyrnetrishwhelan/knn