UPDATE: ‘Unauthorised encampment’ moved on from Limerick in major garda operation

AN “UNAUTHORISED encampment” on a new road leading to a secondary school in Croom has been moved on by gardai, Limerick Live has learned.

Around a dozen members of An Garda Siochana, supported by Limerick City and County Council staff, went to the site this Monday afternoon.

Up to 20 mobile homes and 20 associated vehicles parked up on the side of the road in Croom over the weekend. The footpath and bike lanes were blocked in places, forcing students walking or cycling to school this Monday morning out onto the road.

Following a query from Limerick Live, a garda spokesperson confirmed that officers “attended and engaged with a number of individuals / vehicles that had blocked a roadway in the Croom area”.

“All present dispersed without issue. No offences disclosed,” said the garda spokesperson. It is believed the convoy of vehicles and their occupants are no longer in County Limerick.

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Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Niall Collins welcomed the "unauthorised encampment" leaving County Limerick this Monday afternoon. 

He praised gardai for their swift response, resolving the matter and ensuring the mobile homes and vehicles were not in situ for another night in Croom. 

"I received numerous phone calls from concerned parents and residents about this. It was a serious health and safety concern as the footpath and bicycle lanes were being blocked and forcing children out on the road," said Minister Collins.

Limerick Live has learned that the people in the encampment travelled from Nenagh to Limerick last week.

It is believed they set up home in the Plassey area for a few days before moving close to a vacant site for sale in the Raheen Business Park and then onto Croom.