TRAVELLER families in Rhebogue are horrified by claims from Fianna Fail councillor Kieran O’Hanlon that the refurbishment and construction of additional accommodation at their halting site would be a waste of taxpayer’s money.
At next Monday’s city council meeting, Cllr O’Hanlon will propose an amendment to the Traveller Accommodation Programme rejecting plans to refurbish and construct additional units at the existing Rhebogue halting site .
In response, Elizabeth (Doll) Clarke a resident of Rhebogue Halting site said she was shocked and horrified at Cllr O’Hanlon’s comments. The Clarke family have being living in Rhebogue for the past 60 years down through three generations of their family.
“This is our home and we have no desire to move in spite of O’Hanlon’s ridiculous comments,” Mrs Clarke commented.
“The Rhebogue site is overcrowded and families are living in appalling conditions. There is a great need for refurbishment work to be done to this site, this is something councillor O’Hanlon fails to recognise,” she said.
According to Bridgie Casey, national accommodation officer for the Irish Traveller Movement (ITM), the city council has an obligation to carry out refurbishment work for the families in Rhebogue under the Traveller Accommodation Programme.
“This is something they have failed to do so in the previous programme,” she said.
Clr O’Hanlon is also calling on the local community and sporting clubs in the Rhebogue area to join a protest march to City Hall next Monday at 3pm from the A1 Bar on Clare Street.
