Travellers force their way into Council chamber during protest

There were heated scenes at City Hall this afternoon as protestors forced their way into the Council Chamber to demand immediate action on Traveller accommodation.
It’s as 10 Traveller families at Cúl Trá in Salthill received notice to quit the site by earlier this month.
Gardai were called to the scene as protestors refused to leave the building until they were granted an audience with City Chief Executive Brendan McGrath.
They demanded to speak to Mr. McGrath to discuss what the local authority was doing to address the chronic shortage of Traveller appropriate accommodation.
Chaos erupted as a private presentation had to be abandoned due to the interruption.
Up to a dozen Gardai attended the scene – but protestors pledged they would not leave the building until Mr McGrath and city councillors granted them an audience.
Ugly scenes followed as some of those in attendance attempted to prevent Councillor Pearce Flannery from leaving the lobby following a brief verbal exchange.
Addressing the chamber, CMr McGrath said the behavior was most unbecoming and staff had been abused during the incident.
Councillors ultimately agreed that they would not grant protestors an audience at this evening’s meeting following the unruly behavior they witnessed this afternoon.
Instead, they agreed they would hold a meeting with members of the Travelling community at a future date to discuss the accommodation situation.