Cllr Brett said something needs to be done about illegal halting sites or the situation will continue to get worse. Stock image

A farmer in Kildare has been hit with a several thousand euro clean-up bill after a halting site was set up illegally near his land.

Cllr Fintan Brett has said the farmer’s land was ‘used as a hotel’ by those in the illegal halting site.

“They cut down part of his post and rail fencing, they also used a piece of his land as a toilet and left the land in a total mess. It was some time before the farmer could use the land again.

“He has had to pay people to come and clean it out,” he said, "it has cost him several thousand euro".

Brett stressed this is just one story concerning illegal halting sites in his area and he said the groups are causing untold fear and are intimidating locals.

“I have also heard cases where farmers gates are opened, and cattle have been hunted from grazing ground into silage fields.

“These guys have no fear and are intimidating people. Life is being made to feel like hell for those affected,” he said.

Cllr Brett stressed that the people involved are not local. “They seem to move into an area. Park up where ever they like. When the council finally get a court order… they move on.

According to Cllr Brett, the situation started over a year ago when people from illegal halting sites under the guise of hunting started going onto farmers land and into farm yards without permission.

“When local farmers confronted them they wouldn’t go.

“It caused a lot of distress in the area and the intimidation felt by locals when these guys come onto your property late at night shining lights was unreal.

“They are always accompanied by someone in a car. It’s on the road ticking over… It's obvious that they are scoping out properties,” he said.

Cllr Brett said something needs to be done about illegal halting sites or the situation will continue to get worse.

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