COUNCIL AND GARDAI WORK TO REMOVE ENCAMPMENT FROM LEISURELAND

Date Published: 27-Aug-2007

Galway City council have sought the help of Salthill Gardai in a bid to remove a group of Travellers illegally encamped in Leisureland car park.

Council officials have confirmed Gardai are liaising with the Travellers as efforts begin to peacefully resolve the situation.

A Garda spokesperson said that under the Roads Act 2003, Galway city council does have the power to force caravans to move to a provided halting site.

However it’s not believed they have the power to remove anyone in a camper van.

The loophole could mean the only option available to Galway City council is to get a High Court order forcing the families to move from Leisureland – a move considered unlikely as the families could have moved on by the time the order is made.