Northern Ireland

Travellers facing eviction call on council to provide permanent halting site

Pictured at Ballyronan are (l-r) Charlie McDonald, Kathleen McCann, Teresa McDonald and Johnny McCann. Their parents have called on Mid Ulster District Council to provide a permanent transit site. Picture by John O'Neill, Sperrins Photography
Pictured at Ballyronan are (l-r) Charlie McDonald, Kathleen McCann, Teresa McDonald and Johnny McCann. Their parents have called on Mid Ulster District Council to provide a permanent transit site. Picture by John O'Neill, Sperrins Photography Pictured at Ballyronan are (l-r) Charlie McDonald, Kathleen McCann, Teresa McDonald and Johnny McCann. Their parents have called on Mid Ulster District Council to provide a permanent transit site. Picture by John O'Neill, Sperrins Photography

A group of Co Derry-based Travellers facing possible court action have called on council chiefs to provide them with a permanent halting site.

Mid Ulster District Council confirmed last night it has served a notice on members of the Travelling community asking them to leave a site at Ballyronan within seven days.

It says the Travellers are occupying its land without permission and if they do not comply, court proceedings will begin.

Three families recently moved to a council-owned car park on the shores of Lough Neagh after spending several years at a nearby site.

The families say that between them there are 11 children ranging in age from two to 14 and a request to provide portable toilet facilities has been turned down.

The families are part of a well-known Travelling community who have lived in the wider Magherafelt area for decades.

Discussions around providing a transit site in south Derry have been going on for years.

Father-of-three Thomas McCann (30) said he wants to remain in the Magherafelt area and be "classed as part of the community".

“I have been in this area for around 15 years and all my friends and family are around here,” he said.

“We treat people around here with respect, we are no bother.”

He called on the council to provide a proper caravan halting site.

“We are not asking for mansions, just a permanent spot,” he said.

Charlie McDonald (24), who is a father-of-two, also urged the council to provide toilet facilities.

He said the Traveller way of life needs to be taken into account by authorities.

“I have never lived in a house,” he said.

“I was born in a hospital and that's the nearest I came to a house and I will live and die by that.

“It's in my blood.”

Sinn Féin MLA Ian Milne said he has had discussions with Housing Executive officials.

"It is imperative that council helps identify a suitable site as soon possible,” he said

“This issue has been running on long enough and it is time for council officials to have these Irish Traveller families, many with young children under the age of 10, treated with dignity and afforded basic human rights.”

Mid Ulster council said that while responsibility for providing serviced Travellers’ sites lies with the Housing Executive, it is due to meet executive officials “to review arrangements generally for Traveller site provision in Mid Ulster”.

The Housing Executive said discussions are ongoing with the council “in relation to additional Traveller site provision” and a meeting will take place today.

“There are no Housing Executive Traveller accommodation sites in the Magherafelt area, but there are sites with pitches available in other nearby locations," it said.

“Alternatively, anyone who is experiencing difficulties can contact one of our local offices and temporary accommodation may be provided.”