Designated halting site proposal withdrawn

A CONTROVERSIAL motion seeking the provision of a designated Travellers’ halting site in Bantry was yesterday withdrawn at a meeting of the Western Committee of Cork County Council.

More than 1,150 people had signed a petition seeking the retention of an existing halting site in the town amid fears the council was considering the development of a new amenity within the Bantry region.

However, Cllr Danny Crowley, who had tabled the motion, insisted yesterday the proposal had been taken out of context.

The Fianna Fáil councillor said his main concern in raising the issue was that an existing site at Pier Road in Bantry did not have any status as either a transient or permanent facility for Travellers.

“I have asked Cork County Council to state clearly its intentions in relation to the existing site. Every summer, transient families park illegally outside the site and that cannot be allowed to continue while inside the site, the needs of the families there have not been properly catered for by the local authority,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Western Committee yesterday backed by a majority decision a motion by Cllr Donal Casey calling for the retention of the existing halting site. Cllr Casey said local people were angry that any proposal for a halting site should be put forward without proper public consultation.

He said the existing site was the most suitable location available and most people, including Traveller families and local residents, were content.

“No one that I’m aware of has requested the council to provide an alternative site,” he said.

John Connolly, a former town councillor, who spoke on behalf of a deputation to the Western Committee, said local residents’ groups and the town council supported the retention of the existing site. Townspeople, he said, had always acknowledged and respected the rights of Travellers.

He also claimed the existing site was adequate and there was adequate space on site for an expansion.

“The occupants of the existing site did not request to be moved and the public generally remain puzzled as to where the request came from or from what group.”

Cllr PJ Sheehan said the motion, which was withdrawn, had created uproar in the town.

“There was never any history of Travelling families settling in Bantry until two families arrived from west Limerick 12 years ago,” the Fine Gael councillor said.

“The council and the people of Bantry did their best to rehabilitate them. Now that they are there, let them stay on Pier Road.”