Bishop urges Travellers to respect homes in Hollyhill, Cork
John Buckley was speaking yesterday as he helped residents of the old St Anthony’s halting site in Hollyhill, on Cork’s northside, relocate some 200m to the new purpose-built group housing scheme.
It has been designed to accommodate members of 16 Traveller families who were living on the cramped old site opposite Apple’s sprawling European headquarters.
The housing scheme has seven one-bed bungalows, three three-bed houses, three four-bed houses, and nine spacious bays for new caravans.
The bays are each equipped with a standalone welfare unit which includes a kitchen/dining area, a living area, a utility room, a bathroom, and generous storage space.
The houses have solar panels and stoves with back boilers to maximise energy efficiency, built-in wardrobes, fully fitted kitchens, and flooring provided throughout.
It also has a new community centre for a homework club, computer literacy courses, learner driver courses, and boxing.
A grotto and two large green areas for recreational and play purposes have been provided.
The scheme was at the centre of a stand-off last week when nine families refused to move. They wanted facilities for their horses and others were holding out for disturbance money.
After the stand-off hit the headlines, all 16 families had by Friday signed up for yesterday’s move.
There was a strong Garda presence, with almost 20 city council housing officials at the halting site early yesterday to co-ordinate a major relocation and logistics operation.
Despite some Travellers raising concerns about the presence of media on the public road outside, the move got under way just before 11am. It was completed by lunchtime, and council workers moved in to seal off the old site and begin demolition work.
Bishop Buckley, who knows several of the families well through road bowling, led a prayer service at the old halting site for families of several young men who have taken their own lives there.
“There have been several tragedies here over the years,” he said.
“They asked that I would bless the site and I was delighted to do so. I know several of the families well.
“Sport is a great unifying force and road bowling brings members of the Travelling and settled community together.
“We had a prayer service and I encouraged them to cooperate with all the agencies who are looking after them so well.
“There could be more cooperation on their part and I urged them to show respect for their new facilities.
“I’m certain they will do that because it’s a state-of-the-art facility.
“It is also fitting that this move is happening at the start of Traveller Pride Week.”
Knocknaheeny parish priest Fr Greg Howard also blessed the old site, before he joined Bishop Buckley to bless the specially built grotto in the new housing scheme.
Bishop Buckley urged the various state agencies to do more to encourage young Travellers to complete their Leaving Certificate, and to pursue further education and training opportunities.
“There is a lack of job opportunities that needs to be responded to. Quite a few are unemployed and it would be great if that could be addressed,” he said.
Meanwhile, city officials are planning to rezone the old halting site to facilitate a major expansion of the Apple plant. It was reported last month that Apple, which employs over 4,000 people in Ireland — most of them at the Hollyhill campus which recently underwent a €300m expansion, and in leased office block space in the city, is considering further expansion at the Hollyhill site.
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