First Travellers Sentenced under Anti-Trespass Act

by David McCarthy - Traveller Visibility Group Wed Dec 03, 2003 16:56 tvg at indigo dot ie The Glen, Cork. 021 4503786

A crisis meeting called by the Traveller Visibility Group (TVG) has planned a national and local campaign to stop the prosecution of Travellers for having nowhere to live. The packed meeting was attended by members of the Faulkner family who were recently convicted in Cork District Court under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, as inserted by Section 24 of the Housing (Miscellaneous provisions) Act 2002. Also in attendance were elected representatives, Traveller and Settled Solidarity (TASS), and various staff from Traveller education services deployed by the Department of Education and Science. The City Manager Joe Gavin was unavailable and was not in a position to send a delegate. Senior Gardaí were not represented.
The meeting decided to seek cross-party support in the Dáil to amend the 1994 Act, so that Travellers on the accommodation waiting list could not be prosecuted under that Act. To help secure the public support for this change, a programme of public awareness is planned. The new Oireachtas Committee for Travellers may become a key vehicle for achieving this.
The meeting also decided to act locally, by planning an approach to Cork City Council to seek a cessation of the evictions, as the impact on the Traveller families was deemed unacceptable in a civilised society. The education professionals commented extensively on how it affected Traveller progress through the education system.
Evictions cause Traveller children to experience trauma
When Traveller children who are forced out of an area by eviction, the new schools where they attend often do not have access to their school records and so they need time to assess their progress, which impedes their education.
Against of overwhelming odds, Traveller families achieve excellent rates of attendance for their children. One child whose family was convicted under the 1994 Act twice, has attended school on 53 out of the last 56 school days. Two of the three absent days were due to the parents’ court appearances. Another roadside Traveller child achieved almost 100% attendance despite suffering a broken hand.
The meeting felt that existing Government agencies and Departments could do a lot more in seeking sensible interpretation of the law. In particular the new Education Welfare Board may play a role in challenging eviction practices where there is an obvious risk of damage to the education progression of the Traveller children.
Lastly, the meeting considered the position of the Travellers who have large fines to pay, and who face prison if they fail to pay them. It was agreed that efforts will be made to raise funds towards the payment of the fines.
A further series of meetings is planned, with senior Government politicians, the Education Welfare Board, the Social Inclusion Unit in Cork City Council, with senior management from Cork City Council, and with senior Gardaí.

by Julia Mon Nov 24, 2003 23:23 Clonakilty

A while back I posted a piece about a senior official who works in Cork Corporation. The link is below. He seems to abuse his position to make life miserable for Travellers, and there seems to be no reason for it. Now, the reason for the abuse is becoming more clear. It seems like the housing department in City Hall has more than its share of officials motivated by racial hatred. On Saturday evening November 22nd the Evening Echo carried a story on the front page about the prison sentence against the two Travellers. The corporation official quoted in the story seemed to have no problem jailing Travellers, even if they have nowhere to go. How did we ever get so far with people like these in positions of influence?

by redjade Mon Nov 24, 2003 14:01

Traveller Focus Week: Images, Expressions, Rights

Wednesday 10th December
Launch of Information Leaflet 'Exploding Myths and Misconceptions about Travellers’
Opening of Exhibition Images of Identity - ‘Contemporary Irish Traveller Artists’

Venue St Michaels and Johns Building – Exhibition Space- Temple Bar, Dublin

Thursday 11th December
Expressions of Tradition A musical Celebration of Traveller Focus Week
Featuring – Master Piper Paddy Keenan, Liam O’Maonlai and Guests

Venue Liberty Hall, Dublin – Capacity 450 seated.

Tickets Available from the ITM office call Anne at 01 - 6796577
Tickets E15 limited availability email: itmtrav@indigo.ie

Exhibition continues.

Friday 12th December
Launch of ITM Nomadism Research Nomadism as a Human Right
Conference hosted by TCD Law Centre in conjunction with ITM.
Venue Trinity College, Dublin

Final Day of Exhibition

For further details contact Irish Traveller Movement at 01 - 6796577
E-mail: tmtrav@indigo.ie

by LR Mon Nov 24, 2003 12:17

...a campaign with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL)?
www.iccl.ie
It could be worth making contact to flesh this out further...

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties,
Dominick Court,
40-41 Lower Dominick Street,
Dublin 1, Ireland.
Telephone: + 353 1 878 3136 / 878 3137
Fax: + 353 1 878 3109