| Wicklow People | Date: 14th April 2005 | Lynn Glanville |
OVER 30 caravans departed from a Brittas Bay field on Monday afternoon.
The group of Travellers, who are dubbed the 'Rathkeale Rovers' entered the former pitch and putt course on Tuesday of last week with about 20 caravans.
Further vans joined the illegal encampment over the following days bringing the number to an estimated 34.
The group visits the county every year and before arriving in Brittas Bay had set up camp at Greystones Harbour.
The Gardaí had issued an oral warning ordering them to move off the land and warning them that they would bring them before New Ross District Court on Tuesday morning if they failed to do so.
On Monday at around 1.00 p.m. the first group headed north on the N11. Wicklow Gardaí monitored their progress as far as Kilmacanogue.
Gardaí from Bray ensured that progress continued as far as Loughlinstown.
A Garda spokesperson told the Wicklow People that there were no major incidents in Brittas Bay over the weekend.
Two units of the Arklow Fire-brigade attended the area when a ditch was set alight on Saturday night. It is believed that a fire in which rubbish was being burnt spread to the hedgerow.
It was largely brought under control by the time the fire service arrived.
Evidence of further fires on the ecologically sensitive dune site has been left behind.
Before leaving the Travellers went around the site collecting rubbish and placing it in black plastic bags, which they left hi the field.
Gardaí reported that there were very few complaints from local businesses over the time of their stay.
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