Picket a Traveller Eviction

cork | crime and justice | news report

Wednesday June 30, 2004 00:33

by Dave McCarthy - Traveller Visibility Group, Cork.

tvg at indigo dot ie

11 Comeragh Park, The Glen, Cork.

021 4503786

Support needed on Wednesday

Gardai have given notice to three Traveller families in Blackpool in Cork that unless they leave their camp by Wednesday June 30th, the 2002 Anti-Trespass law will be used against them. They got the notice (verbally) on Monday night. Under the 2002 legislation, their trailers and cars can be seized and sold if the families refuse to move. Some local people are prepared to support TVG in protesting against the eviction, to draw public attention to this brutal practice.

Gardai have given notice to three Traveller families in Blackpool in Cork that unless they leave their camp by Wednesday June 30th, the 2002 Anti-Trespass law will be used against them. They got the notice (verbally) on Monday night. Under the 2002 legislation, their trailers and cars can be seized and sold if the families refuse to move. Some local people are prepared to support TVG in protesting against the eviction, to draw public attention to this brutal practice.We will not know the exact time of the eviction until Gardai arrive. If you are prepared to picket and show solidarity with the families, please phone your number to me at 086 2853531. In the meantime, the families would be glad to receive a visit from people who are sympathetic to their position. They are on Seminary Walk, a narrow hill across Thomas Davis Street from Maddens Buildings.

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Comments (9 of 9)

Did anybody see?

by Insomniac anonymous

Wed Jun 30, 2004 11:56

I know Oireachtas report is hardly the most riveting tv show on the planet but did anybody see the seanad discussing the need for some sort of truth and reconcilliation for travellers. Bizarre. Would it be any good?

support needed

by marina

Wed Jun 30, 2004 14:28

What do the locals make of it?

Mixed Feelings

by Dave McCarthy - TVG

Thu Jul 01, 2004 19:43

As you might expect, local opinions represent the usual broad range of reactions about Travellers.
At a meeting of locals held on Tuesday night, there was a lot of sense spoken. While most people disagreed with Travellers just pulling into the building site and setting up a camp, they acknowledged that they had not caused any difficulties for local people, and that they had nowhere to go to. Apart from a few who were extremely anti-Traveller, the attitude of most people was reasonable enough. One person present was a Traveller from the camp. When she identified herself ,she was well received by most people present. One local resident did a pro-Traveller interview with the Echo yesterday. The deadline for the Travellers to leave was extended to today Thursday (to allow time for one family to attend a funeral). They are still there this evening, but still there has been no eviction. The list of protesters who will attend (apart from local people) has grown to eight, but more support is needed. If you want to attend and make a peaceful protest against the actions of Gardai in evicting the families, and against the absence of proper accommodation for nomadic families, just text your number to me at 086 2853531.

Travelling people

by Mac

Sun Jul 04, 2004 23:50

I did not see Oireactas report in question.
I did read that Travelling people have asked for a new society-wide forum.

I do not expect the Government to require local authorities to obey the law and provide transit sites.

The key is probably in bringing about understanding and mutual respect.

travellers etc

by jacob

Mon Jul 05, 2004 18:15

You could be opening a can of worms with that phrase:

"expect them to obey the law..."

Commuting

by hugh

Wed Jul 07, 2004 13:51

I wanted to live in Blackpool as it was near to work. However, I couldn't afford to pay or rent accomodation there for myself and my family, and commute from Anglesborough. If travellers want to stop throughout the country, wouldn't it be a good idea for them to buy up the land on their circuits?

Workers And Travelers

by Canteen Kevin

Thu Jul 08, 2004 11:06

Dumb liberals jumping in with their two big feet. If a Traveller site is put in an already deprived working class area then it puts a further strain on resources. Anti traveler racism must be fought by looking for more services for all. Settled workers also have rights and should br consulted on what goes into their area. It shouldnt be decided by snooty lefty middle class dogooders who will never have to live next to a traveller site or have to deal with their anti social actions. Travelers can be anti social just as settled can.

Travellers remain homeless to avoid the neighbours

by Peter

Thu Jul 08, 2004 17:12

This is from todays Independent. I cannot afford a house becuase most of my savings goes on rent. If they dont want it, I'll take it, no problem.

TWO Traveller families were homeless last night after turning down a council's invitation to move into new houses worth €330,000.
The families refused to move into Clare Co Council's four-bedroomed homes on a new €2m, six-family halting site, citing "compatibility" issues with Travellers already accommodated there.
The families stuck with their decision not to move into the new homes even after the intervention of the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh. "I talked to the families and I was trying to resolve the difficulties, but I failed," he said.
Deputy Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Frankie Neylon said he was "amazed" that families would prefer to be homeless rather than move into those homes.
"It is hard to believe, especially since not so long ago, Travellers were picketing the offices of the Co Council looking for houses and now, it appears, they don't want them," he said.

larger issue at stake

by Cyprian

Thu Jul 08, 2004 17:51

The Cork incident appears to have been trouble free, but there is something larger at stake.

The lesson of the recent Wexford incident is that a convoy of travellers can wreak havoc at will anywhere they like, with impunity.

No-one was prosecuted even for the destructive brawl in Wexford hospital. Many similar incidents dont make the news outside of regional newspapers.

What about the cleanup, etc? The taxpayer takes care of that.

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Picket a Traveller Eviction

Comments (9 of 9)