Traveller Families Take High Court Action Against Wicklow County Council Over Housing

Three Traveller families living in what have been described as “substandard” mobile homes in Wicklow have begun a legal challenge against the county council in the High court.

According to the Irish Times, The Connors families, who reside at the Ballinteskin halting site, say the council had agreed to build three houses on a nearby vacant site for them, but the houses were excluded from the council’s 5 year Traveller Accommodation Programme, adopted by the elected members last September.

Their legal representatives say the decision was unlawful and they are seeking a number of orders, including the quashing of  the council’s decision.

The Council said its decision is based on legal advice regarding a 1996 agreement made with a local resident’s association, that it would not expand the halting site at Ballinteskin, or develop another one within the vicinity of a nearby  residential caravan park.

The case is due back before the courts early next year.