'Breach of rights' as Traveller family evicted
Parents and sick children ordered to leave site after ruling
James and Helen O'Reilly at Kilbarry halting site yesterday with their twin girls Nikita and Charmaine, who both have Down Syndrome
Thursday January 29 2009
A TRAVELLER family of five, including 18-month-old twins with special needs, has been evicted from the halting site after last-minute negotiations failed to reverse a court ruling.
James and Helen O'Reilly were ordered to leave the 12-bay site at Kilbarry in Waterford City following a court ruling obtained by the local council.
Campaigners have slammed the eviction as "a breach of human rights".
The O'Reillys said yesterday that they fear for the health of their children James (3) and twin girls Charmaine and Nikita (18 months), who both have Down Syndrome and bronchitis.
"They get very poorly with a lot of things and if we have to leave here we'll have no proper toilets or running water or any of those facilities," said Mrs O'Reilly.
"I've been on this site since I got married, four years ago, and my husband was reared here."
Mrs O'Reilly said that one daughter, Nikita, was born with a hole in her heart and will soon need major surgery at Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin, Dublin. "She's very small for her age, underweight, and needs to be be a little bit heavier so she can go for the operation."
According to Mrs O'Reilly, the family has never caused any trouble during their time in Kilbarry.
Mr O'Reilly was involved in recent negotiations aimed at ending the long-running feud between Traveller families in Waterford, but is not reported to have been involved in any of the fighting himself.
The eviction of the O'Reilly family took place last night after last-minute talks failed to give them a reprieve.
"I don't know where we'll end up, probably on the side of the road," said Mrs O'Reilly, adding that she and her husband had not been offered any alternative permanent accommodation by Waterford City Council.
Dialogue
Irish Traveller Movement director Damien Peelo called on the local authority not to enforce the court order and to engage in a constructive dialogue with the family and the local Traveller organisation, Waterford Traveller Community Development Project (WTCDP).
"This is one of the most shocking cases I have come across in over 10 years of work with Travellers," said Mr Peelo.
Mary Kearney of the WTCDP said the case was "a breach of human rights" and that alternative, suitable accommodation needed to be offered to the family if they have to leave Kilbarry.
It's understood that the family was advised to seek accommodation in emergency hostels in Waterford, but this would necessitate them splitting up.
Waterford City Council said yesterday evening that they wouldn't be commenting as the case was dealt with by the courts.
- Conor Kane
