Locals block Traveller site for survivors of Carrickmines fire
The Traveller support group was commenting on the blockade mounted by locals at a proposed temporary site in Dublin that had been offered to survivors of last weekend’s halting site fire.
A number of residents from Rockville Drive have used a number of vehicles to block access for workmen to prepare the one-acre field.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, gave a commitment yesterday that the site would be cleared within six months of a new permanent site being prepared.
Pavee Point co-director, Ronnie Fay, said they were totally committed to the principle of consultation and espoused it in all their work.
“However, consultation cannot be seen as giving the majority population a veto as to where and in what circumstances Travellers can live,” said Ms Fay.
It had been planned to put in water and sewerage systems, four mobile homes, a shower block and toilets in a field at the end of Rockville Drive.
It was to house the 11 adults and four children, including three toddlers, left homeless after a blaze destroyed their halting site in Glenamuck, Carrickmines, last Saturday.
The Irish Traveller Movement held a candlelit vigil at the Carrickmines site last night where five adults and five children died.
At vigil for the lost lives in Carrickmines. Heartbreaking . pic.twitter.com/DQ3TGWoeV1
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) October 14, 2015
It said it hoped the surviving Travellers, who would make good neighbours, could remain in the area as one of the youngsters was at school locally.
A spokesperson said the Travellers were staying in hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation.
Council officials met with a number of residents from Rockville Drive yesterday to discuss their concerns about the proposed emergency halting site.
Residents are afraid the emergency site will become more permanent, as happened in Glenamuck, which was originally classed as a temporary halting site, only to remain in place for more than seven years.
During the three-hour meeting, the council said the site was classified as an emergency site arising specifically from the tragedy.
The council will meet residents again today to discuss the emergency halting site.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said council chiefs should consult with the local community before opening the emergency site.
“I think there is a real need for deep sensitivity here and, obviously, consultation and conversation with communities is very important,” he said.
Mr Kenny told Newstalk’s Pat Kenny that the council was obviously more than anxious to accommodate the survivors.
Funerals of those killed in the fire are expected to be held over the next week.
Services will take place for Willie Lynch, his partner Tara Gilbert and their children Kelsey, aged 4, and Jodie, aged 9, and Willie’s brother Jimmy, 39, in Bray, Co Wicklow.
Thomas Connors, 27, his wife Sylvia, 25, and their children Jim, 5, Christy, 2, and five-month-old baby Mary will be buried in Wexford.
Tom Connors, 4, remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
