Madam, - Gardaí are now issuing parking fines to Travellers in Cork in order to pressure them to move on, but where should they move to?
They have nowhere left to go and are now further burdened with fines and possibly prison sentences. Their children are afraid to go to school in case they arrive home to find the family moved on.
The Housing Act of 1998 committed the Government to providing accommodation appropriate to Travellers' needs within five years. It also extended Garda powers to move Travellers on.
Up to the end of 2001, only 99 of a recommended 2100 units of accommodation had been provided, yet Travellers face eviction daily.
It is unacceptable that the punitive aspect of the act is being zealously enforced, while the commitments on accommodation are largely being ignored.
The Anti-Trepass Act (2000) further extended Garda powers to evict Travellers, and without any notice. Under this legislation, trailers (i.e. peoples' homes) can be impounded. This has happened and is a very serious breach of the human rights of Travellers.
The state is forcing Travellers into homelessness, it is denying their nomadic identity and interferes with the children's right to education, as accommodation is the key to education.
This hounding of Travellers by the Gardai in Cork must stop immediately, the Minister for Justice must issue a statement to the effect that such use of the legislation will not be tolerated and the Minister for the Environment must, as a matter of urgency, implement the accommodation provision aspect of the Housing Act (1998).
The general public needs to wake up to what is happening and show solidarity with their brothers and sisters in the Travelling community.
Those of us appalled by the treatment of Travellers must make our voices heard so that politicians cannot assume our consent. - Yours, etc.,
JOAN CASEY, Old Youghal Road, Dillon's Cross, Cork.