Littering Travellers - Equality also applies to rule of law

THE appalling mess left by Travellers at two of Munster’s most popular beaches, resulting in temporary loss of their Blue Flag status, was an absolute disgrace.

Not even the most ardent defender of the rights of Travellers can justify the feckless attitude of people who turned the public car park at Garrettstown and Garylucas beaches in West Cork into rubbish tips.

Discarded furniture, bags of rubbish and other debris had to be cleared by Cork County Council after more than 30 Travellers’ caravans, mainly with British registrations, moved on.

Because illegal camping is not permitted at Blue Flag beaches, An Taisce instructed Cork County Council to remove its symbol of excellence from both beaches.

Not a summer goes by without controversy in the wake of convoys of Travellers who invariably turn illegal encampments into bomb sites. Yet, when locals condemn such anti-social behaviour, Travellers are quick to plead cultural differences, accusing their critics of elitism.

However, in the latest outrage, a spokesman for Travellers’ Visibility Group has made it clear that such incidents cannot be condoned. Indeed, those responsible should be condemned out of hand.

The unambiguous message must go out loud and clear that neither Travellers nor members of the settled community can dump rubbish wherever they like.

No individual, or group, can trample on the environment, spoiling scenic areas and turning them into tip-heads. Those who do so must face the full rigours of the law.

Travellers who engage in anti-social behaviour, inevitably forfeit public sympathy. And deservedly so. There can be no excuse for anyone who uses the Irish countryside as a rubbish dump.