Ennis gardaí have ended a two-month long illegal occupation by Travellers of Ennis Town Council's headquarters by seizing and confiscating a number of Traveller caravans.
Four families set up an illegal encampment on a public park contained within the council's headquarters in June to highlight the ongoing inadequate provision of emergency accommodation for Travellers around Ennis.
The move by gardaí on Monday evening rendered two of the families homeless, and yesterday one of the Travellers concerned, Mr Patrick Mongans, said that he and his wife and child slept in the back of their van after the caravans were seized.
He said: "It is a disgrace. We have nowhere to go." Mr Mongans said he would not be seeking to reclaim his caravan impounded at Ennis Garda Station "because if I do, it will be seized again". Mr Mongans said he was seeking help from the Mid-Western Health Board for emergency accommodation. Within the families concerned, there are two expectant mothers and five children.
Ennis gardaí made the move through the contentious legislation enacted last year allowing gardaí to seize caravans without first going to court.
After complaints were made over the Travellers' move by Ennis Town Council in June, Supt John Kerin referred the matter to the Attorney General's Office and to the DPP's office.
Supt Kerin said yesterday that the Attorney General's Office had responded in recent days compelling the gardaí to proceed with the removal of the caravans.
