The encampment based at the N11 bus stop was evicted in the early hours of this morning, January 13th.
The encampment based at the N11 bus stop was evicted in the early hours of this morning, January 13th. At approximately 5.20am this morning, members of the Gardaí removed the camp. Representatives of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council were also present at the scene. One member of the encampment was present at the time.
This comes in light of a letter received by the camp on January 6th, ordering the encampment to vacate the area within 24 hours, sent on behalf of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
The Palestine solidarity encampment was first established on the 8th of September 2025, reaching a duration of 127 days prior to its eviction. The camp, referred to by its members as the Break the Academic Chains of Zionism Encampment, was established in protest of UCD’s academic ties to Israeli institutions, most notably via the Horizon Europe programme.
Horizon Europe is the EU’s major funding model for research, and has a budget of more than €93.5 billion. Over the last year, UCD has entered into two new projects alongside Israeli institutions via the Horizon Europe programme, including Technion Institute of Technology and Ben-Gurion University. The latest project in partnership with Technion is set to commence this month.
In a comment to the University Observer, the individual who was present at the encampment when the eviction occurred stated, “I was alone when it happened. I had around 10 guards knocking on the door to the cabin. They said I had to leave or would be forcibly removed essentially. They wouldn't allow me near the cabins or tents while they tore it down. We were ambushed, essentially. Why else would they come under the cover of darkness, so early?” The individual is a recent alum of UCD, having graduated in December 2025.
In a public statement, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council stated:
“Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and University College Dublin (UCD) respect and uphold the right to peaceful and lawful protest. However, due to significant safety concerns and a number of serious incidents, action was required to address unauthorised structures erected on public lands as part of this protest. Today, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council with the assistance of An Garda Síochána removed these structures from public lands at UCD, adjacent to the R183 Regional Road.”
“This measure was taken in accordance with statutory responsibilities and in the interest of public safety, with our priority being the protection of the public and the proper maintenance of public lands. The structures on this site posed serious risks to personal safety and created unacceptable environmental hazards, given the absence of adequate facilities to support prolonged use.”
“We acknowledge the assistance of An Garda Síochána and UCD in bringing this matter to a safe conclusion.”
UCD has been contacted for comment.