Dialogue key to resolving issue of feuding among Travellers in Ennis

With reference to the article (Irish Examiner, Apr 5), Ms Jenniefr Hough states that ‘To be clear, Cllr Paul O’Shea wasn’t asking that all convicts have benefits withdrawn — just Travellers’.

Her comment is incorrect.

On Apr 4 I did four interviews with national and local radio ‘that there should be a withdrawal of social services such as housing and social welfare for any individuals involved in feuding that endangers innocent children and the general public’. This is documented in minutes of Ennis Town Council monthly meeting of Apr 2.

Ms Hough suggested that my comment contributed towards legitimising exclusion and racism experienced by Travellers. As a local representative I have always strived to combat racism and inequality. I was recently commended by Martin Collins, director of Pavee Point, for a motion I put forward at Ennis Town Council calling for mandatory training in equality and anti-racism for all elected representatives throughout the State.

The inconvenient truth is that a minority of Travellers are involved in feuding. The town has had bomb disposal experts called to a housing estate to defuse a hand grenade that was put through the door of a family home while the children slept upstairs. In less than two years we have had two serious incidents at primary schools that endangered innocent children, resulting in some infants having to receive play therapy and treatment from a psychologist. Two weeks ago gardaí found a cache of weapons that included machetes, samurai swords, and scythes at a local graveyard.

Ennis Town Council recently tried to contain the situation by engaging a mediator (at significant cost) to find a lasting solution to the ever present threat from those involved in feuding. It’s unavoidably depressing that the process failed.

As a former director of the largest Traveller Education Centre in the State, in addition to being the past chairperson of a Traveller pre-school, I have no doubt that the majority of Travellers want to live in a safe and peaceful environment. The problem facing a number of families from the Travelling community is that of deterring their teenage children from getting involved in ongoing feuds.

We must have an informed debate both locally and nationally among professional experts and representatives from the Travelling community to find a solution.

A high profile aggressive response is required and a clear message must be sent to the settled and Travelling community who engage in feuding. Dialogue is required among appropriate bodies to find out why feuding continues, in addition to a submission to the law reform for action on those who continue to engage in violence.

Cllr Paul O’Shea

Chairman Ennis Joint Policing Committee