People who support the plan for Travellers to use the site in Rockville Drive; and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s statement this afternoon
“[The] second meeting between residents of Rockville Drive and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council officials ended a short time ago. The council has just issued a statement saying, it has taken on board the residents’ concerns and that it emphasised that this site can only be used for a six-month period. They have agreed to continue with discussions.”
“Back in the estate, other residents have gathered on the street. Some have expressed anger over allegations being made they are ant-Traveller. They say their concerns about anti-social behaviour and the suitability of the site are well-founded. While a number of them attended last night’s vigil to express their sympathies over the halting site’s deaths.”
“A handful of protesters in favour of opening the site arrived into the estate this morning, they claim there is no basis for residents’ fears.”
Joe Mag Raollaigh on News At One earlier.
Meanwhile, the Irish Traveller Movement has posted a piece written by David Joyce on its Facebook page.
Mr Joyce writes:
“Five children dead! Five adults dead! A seriously injured 4-year-old still in hospital! All of whom have died or suffered injury in what may have been absolutely preventable circumstances. Five days or so on from what was and still is, to a large extent, genuine sympathy for the victims? We now have a complete circus of media comment, condemnation, recrimination, and counter recrimination.
“Where is media reasonability in a time of national tragedy? Ireland and the Irish people have suffered a number of tragedies this year. In the summer we, as a nation, lost six young people in tragic circumstances in a foreign country. We all collectively mourned the loss of potential in those young people to our nation arising from that needless tragedy.
“When an international newspaper suggested that those victims may have brought it upon themselves and engaged in perpetuating stereotypes of the Irish as heavy-drinking, noisy louts who wreck property, and showed no respect for their neighbours, there was widespread, national repulsion at all levels – forcing a reaction and an apology from the New York Times.
“Five days after a tragedy of greater proportion in terms of loss of life, with victims not even buried, Irish media outlets have gone into a frenzy of victim blaming allowing through their social media sites a river of vitriol that perpetuates stereotypes of Travellers as heavy-drinking, noisy louts who wreck property and show no respect for their neighbours.”
“But not content with such standard poison, the media outlets’ facilitates and allows comments that include ‘10 less robbers’, or ‘who would want robbers thieves or burglars living beside them’.”
“I was born in a caravan and grew up in a Traveller tradition living on campsites and on official halt sites. My two eldest children were also born in caravans and spent their formative years living on halt sites and campsites. One graduated and left Ireland, like many of our young, for economic reasons.”
“He has a found a greater welcome and acceptance teaching in a foreign culture and country halfway around the world then he might ever find in his home country. The other graduated into the medical profession among the top percentile of her class.”
“When I think of the loss of life in Carrickmines, I think of the loss of potential to our community and our nation. I don’t recognise the gross stereotypes of the Traveller community.”
“Of course it is the job of newspapers to report the tragedy as news, and that is what they must do, but when will the Irish media take some responsibility and close down the comment facilities at least until the victims have been buried?.”
“I don’t expect an apology from the Irish media for the victim blaming that has emerged on their media sites. I would expect, in line with one of the greatest of Irish traditions, a semblence of respect for the dead.”
Irish Traveller Movement (Facebook)
Pics: Zara King
