OPW Minister Kevin Boxer Moran must clarify comments he made today which failed to distance Castletown House community groups from illegal activity, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly.
Deputy Farrelly, who represents Kildare North, said:
“In an interview on Morning Ireland today, the Minister was asked for an update about his engagement with community groups at Castletown House and a Garda investigation into €500,000 of damage caused by vandals at an OPW site, Donaghcumper House, in Celbridge.
“Regrettably, in his response, the Minister failed to make clear that community groups, formed after M4 access to Castletown House was closed off 18 months ago, are entirely peaceful and have condemned the despicable vandalism that occurred at an adjacent OPW site.
“While the Minister was right to highlight the worrying concerns and experiences of OPW workers, he should also have been clear that community groups he has met with have consistently condemned any intimidation or ill-treatment of workers.
“The Minister, in his public commentary, should be trying to reduce tensions surrounding this issue, not inflame them. The fact is the previous government’s ineptitude resulted in the M4 access to Castletown House being closed – endangering this hugely important local amenity.
“Meanwhile, the current government appear to have no plan – or even desire – to remedy the situation. Campaigners feel like they are not being listened to at all, which is why one community group has now initiated legal action.
“The Minister must now clarify his regrettable comments, which failed to distance community groups from illegal activity.”
16th May, 2025