Court orders caravans to move from Ballyronan Marina car park

A judge granted an application by Mid Ulster District Council amid claims the unauthorised encampment at Ballyronan Marina Car Park was stopping public access to the area.

Any failure to comply with the order could result in occupants being held in contempt and facing the threat of imprisonment.

It is understood up to six caravans were parked at the site in Magherafelt.

Council representatives served them with notices as part of the court action.

At a hearing before Mr Justice Horner it was suggested that caravan tenants should be told to move out by noon on Friday.

The judge consented to the application but stressed that a penal notice should be included.

It means that any disobedience could result in possible imprisonment.

"Make sure you have the warning," he told a barrister for the Council.

Mid Ulster District Council later confirmed it had sought a High Court order for possession of lands at Ballyronan Marina Car Park on the shores of Lough Neagh

In a statement it added: "Mr Justice Horner granted the Order on the terms sought and the occupiers are to be off these lands by noon this Friday.

"The Council took this legal action because the occupants were not authorised to encamp on these Lands and their actions were preventing the general public from full use of the services in that area."