An order restraining trespass by the occupiers of several caravans on the playing fields of a south Dublin school was granted by the High Court yesterday. Some 300 students were taking exams at the school and the occupation was adding to the stress they were under, Mr Justice Butler was told.
The continuing occupation of the rugby pitch of St Benildus College, Upper Kilmacud, Stillorgan, means pupils sitting exams cannot access the school via the pitch, as some 50 per cent of pupils normally do, Ms Alice Doyle, counsel for the school trustees, said.
Instead of crossing the pitch, they had to go around the school perimeter, adding 30 minutes to their walk.
She said youths from the caravans were driving cars at speed towards pupils and then stopping dead and this had terrified pupils. Burnt-out cars had also been brought onto the pitch.
Parents had told pupils not to try to get to the school via the pitch. There was also a problem with litter and refuse, and concerns about health because there was no sanitation facilities.
Four caravans had been parked on the pitch on June 1st. Their occupiers were approached by the school authorities and asked to leave. They said they would but then more caravans arrived and the playing fields were now a "nogo area".
Mr Justice Butler objected to the occupiers of the caravans being referred to as members of the "Travelling community", stating this had no relevance to the matter. However, he said it was clear the caravan occupiers were prima facie trespassing and were causing trouble.
He granted an interim order, returnable to Monday, restraining trespass on the school property. The order is against a number of named defendants said to occupy the caravans and all others with notice of the making of the order.