'Pure blackguardism' Laois representative demands caravans be moved

Caravans parked in a Graiguecullen housing estate must be moved on a Laois councillor has demanded but he's been told that it's private land so Laois County Council can't act.

Speaking at the Municipal District meeting, Cllr Ben Brennan, described the problems that residents in Meadows Way housing estate have raised with him.

"Three caravans have moved into a private section of the estate. This is a lovely housing estate. They have put horses on the green. There is litter in it. They can't get in in their vans so they are parking on the grass. 

"A few old people who are going to Mass every day are now afraid to go. 

"They can't seem to get them out. Has the council been contacted? I know the Gardaí have. They served a notice but the caravans haven't been moved," Cllr Brennan said.

Laois County Council Director of Services Gerry Murphy told him that the council can only take action if caravans are parked on public land. 

Cllr Brennan agreed that the caravans had moved onto what is private land in the estate, however, he insisted the problem demands action.

"It's out of control. It's a lovely housing estate. It's pure blackguardism," he said.

Cllr Aidan Mullins, Sinn Féin, recalled another situation in Portarlington which he said has since resolved.

"We had a similar situation, it held up construction of a new school on the Canal Road for a time, it is intolerable. It is up to the property owner to intervene. In this case the owner has complained to Gardaí. It's trespass. They were asked to move and they refused, the owner may have to get a court order to remove them. 

"These individuals know how to play the game and the letter of the law. They should either get caravans impounded or get an on the spot fine. It's because of sensitivities involved, the state seems to take a lenient approach. It's not fair on residents," Cllr Mullins said.

Cllr Padraig Fleming, Fianna Fáil, claimed that the same group of caravans had been parked at another part of the Laois Carlow border town that is now a building site.

"The developer of 200 houses had to build a trench of clay higher than the fence, so they moved to Meadows Way. 

"I did contact the developer and they talked about court orders to get it resolved. They are also negotiating locally to see if it can be resolved," Cllr Fleming said.

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The issue was raised after the progress report was read at the Municipal District's March meeting in County Hall Portlaoise.