This article is from page 14 of the 2008-05-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
A SCHEME where Travellers will be allocated space to keep their horses in Shannon, is one of the first of its kind in Ireland.
Although the final details have yet to be ironed out, it is likely that the plan will get the go-ahead during the summer.
The initiative is part of the pro- gramme ‘Strategy for the co-ordina- tion of public services to the Traveller community in Clare 2005 – 2008.’
Shannon area members of Clare County Council previously agreed in
principal that the issue be progressed and the matter was up for discussion at a meeting of the town council last week.
Co-ordinator of the Traveller strat- egy in Clare, Etain McCooey said much work has been done between various agencies, to ensure this project is a resounding success.
“We want a sustainable agreement that will take into account concerns of councillors and others in the area,” she said.
While other similar projects are up and running in Tralee and Limerick, this project differs in that the land
being provided in Shannon is located some distance from the homes of the Travellers.
The 18-and-a-quarter acre site in question is located in the townland of Tullyvarraga, while the settled Travellers, the McDonaghs, live two POD CoM MWe NAB EO MD BEDONBOOLUME-hSd 0p
The Tralee site houses several Trav- eller families, while the only family living in Ballymurtagh is the Mc- Donaghs.
Ms McCooey explained that this scheme is about more than just land for animals.
“The Travellers will work with
Clare Animal Welfare. It is broader than providing land. They really want it to work and are willing to pay market value for the land,” she said.
Michael Flanagan, who has worked as a development worker with Trav- ellers in Ballymurtagh, stressed that “the day of having the horses on the side of the road is over. We are trying to create a win-win situation.”
He said that the Travellers were willing to pay market value for the land, “the same as anybody else.”
“It’s about integration. We want to get an integrated society and an inte- grated community,’ said Mr Flana-
eee
Referring to queries from council- lors, he said, “It is an unreasonable condition to say there can’t be sulky racing. We can’t legislate for what can happen.”
Shannon town manager Ger Dollard said he would suggest that the man- agement committee would “go away and come up with terms and cond1- tions and try it for a trial period.” He also suggested that the manage- ment committee be asked to manage the public information aspect of the project, both prior to its implementa- tion and during its existence.