Dáil protest over eviction of Traveller and baby son

The plight of a traveller and her baby son evicted from an illegal camp in north Cork was highlighted today by more than 50 protestors outside the Dáil.

The desperate woman and her seven-month-old son have been left with nowhere to go since being moved from the council-owned land on St Bernard’s Road, Fermoy.

The woman, in her early 20s, was arrested yesterday under a public order offence and her caravan, containing all their belongings, impounded under instructions from Fermoy Town Council.

Despite been released without charge, the move has outraged members of the travelling community nationwide.

Supporters say the mother, who recently separated from her husband and is on the local housing list, has nowhere to go. The pair were living near the woman’s immediate family, who are also on an unofficial camp.

Damien Peelo, of the Irish Travellers Movement, said mystery still surrounds what grounds the woman was arrested on and what will happen to her next.

“She was put in a B&B last night but after 11pm discovered her caravan had been left on the main Dublin – Cork road and she stayed there for the night,” he said.

“Today she told me that she has to move on from there. She grew up in the area with her family, but left when she married. Now she has returned to be close to them.

“She is very upset and doesn’t know where to go or what’s going on. She is an extremely vulnerable woman and is worried about the whole thing.”

Rose Carroll, of Fermoy Town Council, confirmed the arrest was made by gardaí following discussions with the local authority. She said they later released the caravan but refused to comment any further. Gardaí said the woman was freed without charge, but more investigations are to be carried out.

In 2002 the Public Order legislation was amended to deal with the problems caused by large scale unauthorised temporary encampments. At the time Environment Minister Noel Dempsey said it was aimed at preventing entry to and occupation of land (without the consent of the owner) by anyone in a manner which is likely to cause damage or loss of amenity. The provision was not aimed at a particular group but rather at a particular type of unacceptable behaviour.

Mr Peelo accused the town council of targeting the mother with the belief no-one would take notice of her case. He said the legislation should only be used as a last resort, when all other measures have failed.

Protesters at the Dáil also handed in a letter for the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, appealing for a change in the legislation.

“There is a huge amount of anger among pople about this,” he continued. “We believe this is unlawful. Travellers and members of other organisations from across the country came out to protet to show their support for this woman.”