Town councillor hits out at ‘Prada-wearing Travellers’
Cllr Frankie Neylon, who welcomed Muhammad Ali in 2009 to Ennis as mayor, backed a call from colleague Cllr Paul O’Shea that Travellers convicted of being involved in feuding should have their welfare entitlements withdrawn.
Cllr Neylon said: “They should be hit in the pocket.”
He told the council’s April meeting that the Travellers “drive around in their new cars and salute you with their Prada coats on them and what have you”.
Cllr Johnny Flynn said a section of the Traveller community seemed “to be able to exhibit extraordinary wealth, but [did not] seem to be able to identify the sources of their income”.
The members said that arising from recent Traveller-related incidents in the Co Clare town, a national conference should take place to debate the issue.
However, Cllr Neylon cautioned against “Ennis being out front again” on Traveller issues.
In response yesterday, the assistant director of Traveller representative organisation Pavee Point, Martin Collins, described the councillors’ comments as “totally unhelpful and have the potential to incite hatred and are dangerous”.
“Public representatives making such statements only serves to legitimise further exclusion and racism experienced by Travellers,” Mr Collins warned.
“Those politicians in a leadership role like these councillors should lead and not be pandering to their main constituent, the settled community.”
Mr Collins described as “outlandish” comments made concerning Travellers showing off their wealth.
“I don’t know of any Traveller who wears Prada, but the insinuation there is that the wealth talked about was got illegally. If that is their belief, evidence should be provided to the Gardaí.”
Mr Collins said there was nothing in legislation stating that social welfare entitlements could be withdrawn if people were convicted of an offence. He said councillors should be more focused on providing solutions.
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