Carlow County Council say they had to hire a security firm in the interests of health and safety.
A stand-off between the council and a woman who’s declared herself homeless continued into yesterday evening and a petition has now been set up by her supporters calling for the council to take action.
The situation at the county council’s offices has been on-going now for almost a fortnight.
The Gardaí have been called on a number of occasions after people refused to leave the premises.
On Monday night of this week, two people were arrested and subsequently released without charge.
A security firm has been engaged by the council to prevent any further occupation of the building and yesterday a tent was pitched by those involved, outside the council’s offices.
An online petition has now been set up claiming Carlow County Council have “turned their backs” on those at the centre of this situation.
However, in a statement, the council says they have provided emergency accommodation for the woman and involved and her son on a number of occasions, despite several family members living in the Carlow area.
They say temporary emergency accommodation was also offered on Monday that would house them up until next Monday the 15th, but this was refused.
They also claim it was in the interest of health and safety of staff, of councillors and of visitors that they hired extra security.
