*The encampment in Drumbiggle.
AN ILLEGAL ENCAMPMENT has rocked up in Clare County Council’s own back garden with one TD criticising the actions as an attempt to leap-frog ahead in a bid to secure local authority housing.
Late on Tuesday evening, an illegal encampment which had been situated in Cappahard, Ennis since the end of November exited the busy residential area and took up situ in the car park of Waterpark House in Drumbiggle which houses the offices of the Ennis Muncipal District and was formerly the home of Ennis Town Council.
Over a dozen car parking spaces which are allocated for Clare County Council staff at Waterpark House are no longer accessible with three caravans and vehicles belonging to the family blocking off access.
In a statement to The Clare Echo, Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) said the actions of the persons involved cannot be used as a tactic to leap-frog ahead on the Council’s housing list. “The encampment in Cappahard first arrived in late November and had remained there since. I have been liaising with local residents, Clare County Council and An Garda Siochana on the matter and whilst I am glad that they have moved on, I will be asking the Council to prosecute those from the encampment for litter strewn about the site under the Litter Pollution Act. I have also written to the Council to ask that obstacles, such as boulders, be considered for the boundary of the green area to deter potential future encampments.
“It is my view that illegal caravan encampments are being used as a method to force Clare County Council into housing families ahead of others. Encampments like this are in breach of the law and it is important that Clare County Council remain resolute and unwavering in terms of their housing policy. Setting up an illegal caravan encampment cannot and should not be used in an attempt to force Clare County Council into providing accommodation in quicker time. Nobody should be allowed to leap-frog others in the housing list and if this were to happen it would totally undermine the system,” Deputy Crowe said.
He continued, “Every week, my office helps dozens of people in their quest to find housing for their families. We go over and beyond to help them but many of these applicants, some of whom have to couch surf or occasionally sleep in cars, would find it deeply frustrating if someone illegally parked in a caravan were to pass them out in the housing list in being appointed tenants of a house. The illegal encampment in Cappahard was an affront to people who own homes and rent properties there. Open green spaces are for the enjoyment of all residents and it was utterly wrong that people thought the green area in Cappahard was an appropriate area to set up an illegal caravan encampment”.
