Court bid to shift illegal Traveller site at Doughiska

Galway City Council is seeking a Circuit Court injunction against Traveller families who are illegally encamped in Doughiska, beside Merlin Woods.

Director of Services for Housing, Tom Connell, confirmed at a local authority meeting that the Council’s law agents have been instructed to seek a court date to secure the injunction.

“The occupation is illegal and we’ll be seeking that the vacate the site,” said Mr Connell.

One councillor claims the families concerned – who were previously illegally encamped in Knocknacarra, Galway Airport, City Hall and Ballyloughane Beach – have run up legal costs in excess of €250,000 for the Council.

Cllr Mike Crowe (FF) said the area of the illegal encampment is in an awful condition and said it had become a health and safety and environmental matter now.

He said there are hundreds of pieces of toilet tissue on paths and gravel and stone had been brought onto the site to create “well-drained” bays for caravans, and fencing had also been erected between caravans.

“It appears to have become a more permanent fixture. That was one of the busiest parks in the city. People are being threatened, clubs interfered with in regards to training etc.

“They broke down out bollards and entered our property. Has any of this damage been reported to the relevant authorities?” he asked.

Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) asked if the €250,000 legal fees figure was accurate.

“That’s a lot of money. It’s difficult for this Council to get funds. Where is this money coming from?” she asked.

Cllr Declan McDonnell (Ind) said: “Have you consulted with the Traveller representatives and asked them to intervene? These are the same three families as before. They pulled bollards out of the ground which is trespassing.”

Mr Connell said he did not know where the €250,000 figure had come from, but “significant legal costs have been incurred”.

“We’re aware of the condition of the site; environmental and housing staff have been on site.

“We’ve reported the issue to Gardaí – we’re going back into court as soon as we get a date,” said Mr Connell.

Meanwhile, councillors from the City Central Ward hit out at Mr Connell over a meeting on the Traveller Accommodation Plan last March, which they claim they were never notified of.

Mr Connell said that meetings had been arranged for all three wards and councillors informed of the dates, and in the case of City Central, there was no attendance.

An angry Cllr Mike Cubbard (Ind) said: “What was the date of that meeting? You said in July you’d come up with the date. The Director is saying nobody turned up. That’s wrong. I want that corrected.”

Cllr Ollie Crowe (FF) said: “The Director should withdraw his comments that elected representatives were contacted. There was no meeting held or agreed. Members of City Central were not contacted.”

“I’ll double check the record. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong. It went out more than likely by email,” responded Mr Connell.