Officials deny plans for Traveller housing exist for Knocknacarra site

Councillors have demanded to know why a placename is being chosen for a site in Knocknacarra – despite officials assuring them that no plans have been drawn up for Traveller housing there.

Local area councillor Donal Lyons said he received an email from the City Council’s placenames committee, where a request had been made to name a site at Keeraun on the Upper Ballymoneen Road.

He said councillors had previously asked Director of Services for Housing, Tom Connell, whether plans had been drawn up for the site, and were given assurances they had not.

“I find it extraordinary to name a field without any plans. We asked the Director is he had any plans for the site, particularly for Traveller group housing. He assured us there were no plans.

“There is no planning permission and no Part 8 [a planning application involving the Council itself which must go on public display] before the Council. I propose that no naming should take place until plans come before the Council. If there is information in the background, please let Council members know,” said Cllr Lyons.

His proposal was seconded by Knocknacarra area councillor, Pearce Flannery, who said: “We need an explanation as to what is going on here.”

After the meeting, Cllr Lyons said: “We want to see social housing on that site. There are 4,800 applicants on the waiting list to be house. Everybody should get a fair crack at the whip on the waiting list, you cannot decide that preferential treatment can be given.”

For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune