A Traveller group has accused Mayo County Council of "hypocrisy" and of "failing in its statutory obligations" following the serving of an eviction notice in Ballina last Thursday.
Ballina Travellers, Annie and Patrick Lawrence, and their eight children, aged 3 to 16, were given notice of eviction under the Housing Miscellaneous Act 2002. The Lawrences are camped on Mayo County Council property adjacent to Ballina Swimming Pool and have been summonsed to appear in court on May 13th.
Last August they fled to England on foot of a similar summons. Their eldest daughter, Mary, had been due to sit the Junior Cert this year but was forced to end her studies after the family took to the roads in their small caravan.
In the last year, the Lawrences have been moved on three times. They have been on a Mayo County Council housing list for some time.
According to Mayo Traveller Support Group, the family lives in conditions of extreme poverty, with no access to water, washing facilities, electricity or refuse collections.
"Where are they to go and how long must they endure such conditions of utter poverty before the council come to their aid?" asked Ms Anne Griffin, spokeswoman for the support group.