Judge rejects Travellers' legal bid

Lawyers today failed in a last-ditch attempt to prevent the eviction of some Irish families from the UK’s largest unauthorised Traveller site.

It is understood the families involved mainly have connections to Rathkeale in Co Limerick.

They had applied for a temporary injunction to stop Basildon Borough Council evicting the families from Dale Farm in Essex from midnight.

The case hinged on the circumstances of 72-year-old Mary Flynn who suffers breathing problems and uses an electric nebuliser.

The High Court in London has now dismissed the application.

But Basildon Borough Council gave a legal undertaking to review fresh medical evidence relating to Mrs Flynn before proceeding against her.