The Office of Public Works (OPW) has served a formal notice to quit on what it has described as `squatters` on the Hill of Tara this week.
Minister of State at the OPW, Noel Ahern, has told Meath East TD Thomas Byrne the move is being made in response to concerns of local people that damage was being done to the hill by M3 motorway protestors living in camps there.
Mr Ahern said that the OPW had "become increasingly concerned at the proliferation of squatters on the Hill of Tara, and particularly at the increase in tents and other shelters which have been placed on the monument and its immediate surroundings".
Mr Ahern said that fires are lit regularly and heavy timbers are being brought onto the site. "All of this activity is damaging to the surface of the national monument and its unique features," Mr Ahern added in a letter to Meath East TD, Deputy Thomas Byrne.
"We have been endeavouring to persuade the people concerned that they should stop their activities and leave the site, but, so far, to no avail," he added.

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