'Shocking': Nearly €500k spent on tackling illegal encampments in Clare

ILLEGAL encampments dotted around Clare have cost nearly half a million euro in legal fees.

The question of illegal encampments have been raised once again at the latest Clare County Council meeting, the first of 2024.

A motion was put forward by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy about the costs that have been incurred over the past five years, due to the ongoing legal processes.

From 2019 to 2023, €484,398 has been spent in addressing the ongoing case. 

Senior executive officer for Clare County Council, Pádraig MacCormaic said that the cost of over €480k so far includes legal advice and court sittings, and that he “cannot predict” how much it will cost in the future.

Mr MacCormaic said: “The costs include fees paid to our legal team, along with other costs around stamp duty, advice, consultations, engagement of barristers and senior counsel, attendance at court sittings and costs associated with the same.

“These costs do not include the expenditure incurred on council resources, staff and other, in dealing with these cases. Costs relating to ongoing cases will continue to accrue.”

Reactions to these high-spends were plentiful, with Cllr Tom O’Callaghan saying: “We cannot promote or allow these [illegal encampments] to continue or worsen.”

While Cllr Johnny Flynn seconded the motion put forward by Cllr Colleran Molloy, saying: “It is shocking that under half a million euros is being spent on this criminal trespass of property.”