Minister Patrick O’Donovan appeals to local community groups to allow OPW staff access their place of work at Castletown

As protests continue at the Celbridge Gate entrance to Castletown Estate in Celbridge, the Minister for the OPW, Patrick O’Donovan, today called once more on community groups to ensure OPW workers can access their place of work.

In a statement issued this afternoon (24 October 2023), Minister O’Donovan said:

"I continue to call on the local community groups to allow OPW staff to access their place of work, Castletown House. Intimidation of staff trying to get to work is desperately regrettable and we need to see common sense prevail.

"While progress has undoubtedly been made in allowing a number of essential services access the Estate, OPW staff are needed on site to work with these essential services. Unfortunately, the OPW has now taken the difficult decision to close the House to the public early for the 2023 season. Without further progress, the wider Estate will also need to close in order to avoid health and safety risks to the public.

"To be clear, the OPW, like the local community, has no wish to see this historic Estate closed. This is why we are in ongoing discussions to achieve the ultimate aim here, which is to reunite the lands at Castletown Estate. This ongoing dispute continues to divert the OPW’s time and effort away from this aim – one shared by all parties involved."