Calls for recognition of Travellers as ethnic group

TRAVELLERS’ rights campaigners have called for the Travelling community to be given legal recognition as a separate ethnic group in order to boost the battle against discrimination.

It is feared that because Travellers travel less than they used to, their more settled lifestyle may weaken their case to be considered as having a distinctive culture and tradition.

Niall Crowley, chief executive of the Equality Authority said there was often a restrictive view of the Traveller way of life which saw nomadism as its only distinctive feature.