Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 4

Adjournment Debate Matters. - Carrigtwohill (Cork) Traveller Encampment.

Mr. Mulvihill

I am grateful to have this opportunity to raise this most important issue for the people of Carrigtwohill, County Cork, which is in the heart of my own constituency. It is with much regret and sadness that I have been forced to raise it in the House tonight.

It concerns an encampment of travellers located on the outskirts of Carrigtwohill which is having an adverse effect on the residents of the local community. Given the circumstances surrounding this encampment and the problems it is causing for local residents and industries, I have been left with no option but to raise the matter in the Dáil. I hope the Minister for the Environment will use his authority not only to take immediate and effective action but to ensure that such encampments will not be allowed to be established in the future.

Other parts of County Cork have also suffered from this problem. During festivals, the town of Cobh in particular is almost overwhelmed by traders who park their vans and trailers in front of local business premises. This problem also exists in the vicinity of Youghal. Serviced sites should be provided throughout the country and the Minister must make greater use of his office and work with Cork County Council to have more such settlement sites established. At present this illegal site is in a disgraceful condition. It is dirty and, at times, rat infested. Recently a representative of the Industrial Development Authority stated that there is a great danger that a multi-national plant could be lost because of the encampment and the dirty, unsightly appearance of the site.

In conclusion, I ask the Minister for the Environment to find out if suitable settlement sites could be provided for travellers where they could reside and, if they so wish, run their business.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice (Mr. O'Dea)

Before dealing with the situation in the location in question I take this opportunity to outline to the Dáil my responsibility and that of the Garda Síochána in relation to these encampments.

I fully appreciate the difficulties faced by all those who are confronted with this problem. Indeed, the problem is very prevalent in my own constituency. However, the resolution of the issue is usually a civil matter, as such, there are limits as to what the gardaí can do.

Breaches of the law, such as illegal parking of caravans or mobile homes, which come to notice are dealt with by the Garda Síochána. It is a matter for the gardaí to enforce the law in such cases in the same way as they do when any other breach of parking or traffic law is detected. In order for a parking offence to be committed, however, the person or persons concerned must have parked their vehicles on a public roadway. It is important to point out that no breach of the parking regulations occurs unless the vehicles in question are parked on a public roadway. Persons who park vehicles on property which is either privately owned or owned by a public body such as a local authority, are not committing any offences under the parking laws.

The question of removing caravans and trailers from private property is a civil matter and as such, it is not open to the gardaí to intervene. In such circumstances, it is a matter for the owner of the property to seek a court injunction to have the trespassers removed. If requested, the gardaí will, of course, attend the scene to prevent breaches of the peace.

I would now like to deal with the situation at Carrigtwohill. This matter was the subject of a Parliamentary Question yesterday and the Minister said in her reply that the Garda authorities have informed her that there are six caravans parked at the above location and that they are not causing an obstruction under the Road Traffic Acts. However, I am informed that a recent prosecution under the Casual Trading Act was taken by the gardaí against one of the persons parked at the location and that further similar prosecutions will follow.

I have again been in contact with the Garda authorities and I am assured by them that they are closely monitoring the situation and that they will deal with any breaches of the law which come to their attention.