The abusive treatment of Travellers, repeated generation after generation, shows that a racist mindset has become second nature among the settled community. Bigotry against Travellers is at one with the overwhelming support for the anti-immigrant referendum and the growing support for the Barrett-McGeough fascists. The Irish left has much work to do to put its own house in order.
Paul, there was no increase in the number of sites. At the start of 2000, there were four sites in Cork, containing 46 bays between them. A bay is designed to accommodate one family. During 2003 there were indications that one of the four sites would be closed. TVG challenged this in the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee and the officials and councillors appeared to back off the idea. That same year, there was a shift in policy regarding overcrowding. For "health and safety reasons" (the official explanation) 33 families who were living unofficially on sites were evicted. The Traveller Visibility Group agreed that the overcrowded conditions on the sites did make a bad situation worse for the permanent residents of the sites, but at least everybody had a toilet, a place to wash themselves, and an electricity supply (which they were paying for, obviously). What we did not agree with was that the vast majority of families who were put out on the road had none of these basic living requirements. It made a mockery of the City Council's stated concern for Traveller health and safety.
I understand the plight of the irish traveller. However the photos shown above do "NOT" represent a fair picture. I am aware of 4 sites near where i live and not one of them is free of rubbish, waste, white appliances, and broken cars. I think Indymedia should portray the facts and not show one "Clean" site to make there point.
I dont think that all travellers should be treated the same
I will admit some TRAVELLERS are dirty but some are VERY CLEAN
It is the same with the settled community some are dirty and some is not
YOU SHOULD NEVER JUDGE ANYBODY
Singed:Traveller
Indymedia Ireland is a media collective. We are independent volunteer citizen journalists producing and distributing the authentic voices of the people. Indymedia Ireland is an open news project where anyone can post their own news, comment, videos or photos about Ireland or related matters.
cork |
rights, freedoms and repression |
news report 
Monday August 02, 2004 15:56
by Traveller Visibility Group
Comments (5 of 5)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5The abusive treatment of Travellers, repeated generation after generation, shows that a racist mindset has become second nature among the settled community. Bigotry against Travellers is at one with the overwhelming support for the anti-immigrant referendum and the growing support for the Barrett-McGeough fascists. The Irish left has much work to do to put its own house in order.
were there any (or any increase) halting sites made available in the previous 2000 to 2004 period...
Paul, there was no increase in the number of sites. At the start of 2000, there were four sites in Cork, containing 46 bays between them. A bay is designed to accommodate one family. During 2003 there were indications that one of the four sites would be closed. TVG challenged this in the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee and the officials and councillors appeared to back off the idea. That same year, there was a shift in policy regarding overcrowding. For "health and safety reasons" (the official explanation) 33 families who were living unofficially on sites were evicted. The Traveller Visibility Group agreed that the overcrowded conditions on the sites did make a bad situation worse for the permanent residents of the sites, but at least everybody had a toilet, a place to wash themselves, and an electricity supply (which they were paying for, obviously). What we did not agree with was that the vast majority of families who were put out on the road had none of these basic living requirements. It made a mockery of the City Council's stated concern for Traveller health and safety.
I understand the plight of the irish traveller. However the photos shown above do "NOT" represent a fair picture. I am aware of 4 sites near where i live and not one of them is free of rubbish, waste, white appliances, and broken cars. I think Indymedia should portray the facts and not show one "Clean" site to make there point.
Any views welcome.
Justin.
I dont think that all travellers should be treated the same
I will admit some TRAVELLERS are dirty but some are VERY CLEAN
It is the same with the settled community some are dirty and some is not
YOU SHOULD NEVER JUDGE ANYBODY
Singed:Traveller
Indymedia Ireland is a media collective. We are independent volunteer citizen journalists producing and distributing the authentic voices of the people. Indymedia Ireland is an open news project where anyone can post their own news, comment, videos or photos about Ireland or related matters.