A traveller family living in what were described as appalling conditions by the road must be housed by Christmas Day, the High Court ordered yesterday. Travellers were also Irish people and must be treated on the same basis as their fellow citizens, Mr Justice Kinlen said.
He had been told Cork County Council feared for the safety of Mr Patrick McDonagh, Ms Brigid McDonagh, and their six children if the family were housed in a private estate at Harrison Place, Charleville, Co Cork.
The court heard the McDonaghs had been told to look out for a house and had identified one at Harrison Place. The council had bought the house.
Residents in Harrison Place had suggested the house should be sold to them or they should be given a list of names of prospective tenants. The "NIMBY" (not in my back yard) attitude could unfortunately be found in settled communities, Mr Justice Kinlen said. It was the council's duty to provide for the housing needs of this unfortunate family. The judge directed that the council house the family before December 25th next from its present housing stock.
He adjourned the matter to January 13th next.