Tag Archives: Carrickmines fire

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Johnny Collins and his dad Micheal Collins

Ireland Shed A Tear?

A new play by writer and actor Michael Collins.

To be performed at The New Theatre, Dublin from September 28 until October 2, as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival.

Written to commemorate the first anniversary of the Carrickmines tragedy, Ireland Shed a Tear? is a new play by acclaimed writer and actor, Michael Collins (Pavee Lackeen, Killinaskully, Glenroe, King of the Travellers).

Using song and poetry, it portrays the life experiences of one Traveller family, while engaging the wider community in a dynamic and lighthearted way.

In the aftermath of the fire that claimed the lives of ten members of the Connors and Gilbert families, including a pregnant mother, Tom sees the introduction of a national fire safety audit of Traveller accommodation as an opportunity for a better life for his family.

Living conditions, safety, and issues with his local council might finally be resolved. However, he soon discovers that the battle is far from over.

See here for tickets and times.

Previously: The Trouble With Travellers

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This afternoon.

The Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Bray [Co Wicklow] where the funerals of five of the people who died in the halting site fire in Carrickmines are taking place.

The coffins of Tara Gilbert, Willie Lynch, their children Jodie and Kelsey, and Willie’s brother Jimmy arrived at the church earlier.

(Sam Boal/RollingNews)

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This afternoon.

Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin.

Members of the public wait to sign the book of condolences for the victims of the Carrickmines halting site fire.

Earlier: Halting Funding

(Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie)

Update:

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President Higgins and Sabina paying their respects in the Mansion House.

(Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie)

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Outside Carrickmines halting site this morning.

(Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie)

 

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The halting site in Carrickmines at the weekend, following a fatal fire

Further to the fire at the halting site on Glenamuck Road, Carrickmines, Dublin at the weekend, which claimed the lives of five adults and five children, while two injured adults and a child remain in hospital…

Kitty Holland, in today’s Irish Times, writes:

“Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, in whose area 10 Travellers lost their lives on overcrowded halting site at the weekend, is one of 15 local authorities that drew down no funding for Traveller accommodation this year.

Some €4.3 million was provided by the Department of the Environment to the 31 local authorities for Traveller accommodation this year, down from €70 million in 2008. Even in straitened economic times, this 93 per cent collapse in funding raises questions about the commitment of central Government to Traveller accommodation.

Meanwhile, readers may recall how more than two years ago, in May, 2013, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and Gaeltacht asked the then Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan to ask why local authorities hadn’t drawn down allocated funding for Traveller housing.

At a meeting of the committee, co-ordinator of Ballyfermot Traveller action project Lorraine McMahon said:

“We contend that a significant non-drawdown of funding or underspend of more than €12 million within Dublin City Council from 2007 to 2012 had an impact on the lack of progress in the delivery of new accommodation. We acknowledge that another barrier to progress was site management issues at various times. There have been some serious issues of anti-social behaviour in the past at various sites but that has not been pervasive across all sites during the life of the Traveller accommodation programme. However, the actions of a minority, which impacted on the majority of the communities, have had detrimental impacts on the community and blocked progress because the whole community has been penalised.”

At the same meeting, Catherine Joyce, who works in Fingal County Council, told the committee more than €7.5 million had been handed back by Fingal County Council, even though the local authority is home to one of the largest temporary halting sites, St Mary’s in Cappagh field.

Ms Joyce told the committee families who reside at the site have no access to electricity, proper sanitation or rubbish collection services. She also said some families have been living there for 15 years.

In addition, Chrissie O’Sullivan, from the Traveller Visibility Group Cork, asked the committee why there was a €6million underspend in the Cork area.

Analysis: Councils must do more for Travellers after fire (Kitty Holland, Irish Times)

Previously: Heard The One About Local Authorities Refusing Money?

‘At Least Eight People Have Died…’

Pic: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie