Cahill apologises to Travellers

The chairman of the Southern Health Board, Mr Michael Cahill, has apologised to the Travelling community for offence caused by comments he made about a loan scheme for caravan purchase.

Mr Cahill, a Fianna Fail member of Kerry County Council, said on Radio Kerry on Wednesday that it was in the nature of Travellers "to cause trouble . . . to steal . . . to do the system". He said a scheme to advance loans of up to £5,000 for buying caravans would be abused, and suggested the caravans be fitted with tracking devices.

Yesterday, however, Mr Cahill said it had not been his intention to cause offence. A statement issued from his home said, "at no stage did he wish to offend the Travelling community" and added: "Councillor Cahill said the real issue was a new scheme introduced by the Department of the Environment whereby Travellers would be given loans of up to £5,000 and grants of up to £500 for the purchase of caravans. He said he believed that there were flaws in the scheme and that the same rules and regulations should apply to the Travelling community as to all others."

The statement continued: "Councillor Cahill again apologised for any offence caused to the Travelling community, as none was intended. The councillor said he would be making no further public comment about the matter."

Mr Cahill's radio comments were criticised by Travellers groups and by Fianna Fail headquarters. Party TD and former junior minister Mr Chris Flood said the remarks were "offensive" and not in keeping with party policy.

In an interview on RTE radio's News at One, he said Travellers had the same rights as members of the settled communities to assistance with home purchase.

Party sources later expressed satisfaction that Mr Cahill had apparently responded to those comments.

Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland yesterday, Mr Cahill suggested his comments had been misrepresented by the media. The following is an extract from the transcript of the original interview on Radio Kerry's Kerry Today: Interviewer (Niall Madigan): Councillor Cahill, when you say that you've had decent and genuine people with you looking for loans, are you suggesting Travellers aren't?

Michael Cahill: I am not suggesting that for one moment. But what I am suggesting is that it's in their nature to be moving all the time. It's in their nature to cause trouble. It's in their nature to steal, you know, quite simply. And that, you know, is not something that I alone state from time to time. It's in their nature to cause trouble. It's in their nature to try and do the system, as you and I well know.

NM: Is that something of a generalisation?

MC: I do believe that, yes, the general public is of that opinion.

NM: No, I'm asking is your claim that they cause trouble and they steal, is that not a generalisation?MC: That claim is based on facts. I mean, just go to Puck Fair, for example, any day or during the three days, and just stand there with your hands in your pockets and you can see it all happening around you and it's all itinerants. Who's stealing from the elderly people? I mean, it says under this scheme that it's based on the applicant's ability to pay. It also states that they have to put up 10 per cent of the cost. How are they going to prove where this is going to come from? I'd like to know that.