Poor behaviour - Halting site security costs

THE discussion around how Travellers are viewed by society, how the group is treated by society and how Travellers treat society is fraught with danger.

Offence is easily taken, even if it is not intended and some discussions are informed more by prudence than honesty. Political correctness sometimes becomes a gag and issues are fudged and left to fester. It is obvious that an entire group cannot be judged by the behaviour of a small proportion of that group but that should not preclude valid criticism of unacceptable behaviour or threatening behaviour.

In that context, it is an outrage that security costs incurred while building a €5m halting site — more an enviable housing estate than a halting site of old — in Cork City are heading towards €400,000. That outrage is deepened by the fact the security is needed because of threats coming from the very people who will eventually move into the new homes. In any circumstance, this is unacceptable and a society that invests so much to help those who choose to live differently is entitled to be discouraged by the hostile response.