The constitutional rights of Travellers, particularly those of children, will be the subject of High Court proceedings today. The case is the first of 25, involving 50 Traveller families, which have been taken against four local authorities in the west.
Solicitor Mr Kevin Brophy is acting on behalf of Traveller families who live on roadsides in Counties Mayo and Clare. Last October Mr Brophy notified the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, Mayo County Council, Castlebar Town Council, Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council of his intentions.
In a letter dated October 3rd, Mr Brophy stated that his clients would issue a moratorium on the proceedings if certain fundamental actions were taken by the authorities to alleviate the circumstances of the Travellers. According to Mr Brophy , the provision of a tap and a toilet would have satisfied some of his clients' immediate needs.
In reply, Mr Cullen stated that his Department was not prepared to interfere in what was essentially the remit of local authorities.
"I am genuinely horrified that I haven't received one positive approach from the local authorities", said Mr Brophy yesterday. "Some of my clients have been living on the side of the road for over a decade, which leads me to ask, do housing lists even apply to Travellers."
According to Mr Brophy the pending cases, if proceeded with, would cost the local authorities hundreds of thousands of euro. He has been informed by solicitors acting for the four councils that they intend to defend each case.
The Irish Times has also learned that direct approaches have been made by local authority officials to a number of Mr Brophy's clients. He believes the approaches were made in order to tempt his clients to drop their cases.
"I am absolutely aghast that attempts have been made to interfere with the solicitor-client relationship, " said Mr Brophy. "I'm quite certain that such approaches would not be countenanced in cases taken by my settled clients."