Press Release September 2007
Pavee Point expresses concern at recent evictions of Traveller Families in Waterford City
11 September 2007.
Pavee Point Travellers Centre joins Waterford Traveller C.D.P. in condemning the evictions of 11 Traveller families by Waterford City Council on Friday 7th September, from Kilbarry Halting Site in Waterford which, according to their solicitor is illegal.
“Pavee Point calls on the City Council to engage constructively with the Waterford Travellers CDP and the families concerned to reach an equitable and just solution to the accommodation needs of these families. The mass eviction of 11 families serves nobody’s interest and certainly does not resolve the underlying issue, the lack of appropriate accommodation. This eviction makes a mockery of the Local Traveller Consultative Committee, the 4 year Traveller Accommodation Programmes and other local consultative fora,” says Pavee Point Assistant Director, Martin Collins.
The families had been living unofficially in Kilbarry for up to 4 years, and had hitherto been provided with electricity and toilet facilities by Waterford City Council for that time, and had never received notice to move until last Thursday. All families were on the Council's housing list and had never received an offer of alternative accommodation.
They were removed by private contractors working for Waterford City Council on Friday. The families moved to a nearby roadside, in order to keep proximity to schools and medical facilities, and have this morning been issued with notices to move under threat of prosecution, from the Director of Services, Environment Department of Waterford City Council.
Amongst the people who have been displaced and are living without basic services are:
- a fifty year old man with severe asthma and diabetes
- a two year old with one kidney
- a two week old who suffers with a congenital blood disorder
- a heavily pregnant woman who needs on-going medical monitoring
- two young school-going children
ENDS
For Further information contact Martin Collins Pavee Point 01 8780255 Ext: 103/ Emma Dwyer Community Worker, Waterford Travellers CDP 051 357016
Terry Battles Information Coordinator 01 8780255 Ext: 103