Travellers 'four times more at risk of diabetes, hypertension'

Travellers in Ireland are reportedly suffering illnesses because of poor conditions in halting sites around the country.

A new study today by the Galway Traveller Movement has found that poor sanitation, diet and anxiety are causing the health problems in halting sites.

The group is calling on the Government to change its approach from one of trying to rehouse travellers to improving their conditions in halting sites.

Tanya Lawlor of TSA consultancy, who carried out the research, said Travellers showed four times the rate of hypertension and diabetes as that present in the general population.