Local authority breached its duty to Traveller teen with cerebral palsy

A local authority breached its duty to a teenage girl with cerebral palsy by failing to take certain steps to improve the conditions of a caravan in which she lived along with eight other members of her Traveller family, the Supreme Court has ruled.

However, the court said South Dublin County Council had discharged its duty to Ellen O’Donnell’s parents, Mary and Patrick, who had refused several offers of alternative accommodation and who gave away a second caravan which had been provided by the council to alleviate their overcrowding situation.

Now in her 20s, Ellen, who uses a wheelchair, is entitled to a declaration giving her what may be “moderate” damages to be decided later by the High Court, the Supreme Court also said.