A High Court judge has warned that a support embankment of an M1 motorway flyover road near Lusk, Co Dublin, could be in danger of collapse because of unauthorised excavation works by a number of Travellers alleged to be illegally camped on lands below the flyover.
Ms Justice Mary Laffoy made the comment in a case in which seven members of the Travelling community yesterday undertook to comply with injunctions made by her last Friday not to interfere with officials of Fingal County Council entering the land in question.
The injunctions were granted against Martin Gavin, Michael Reilly, Arthur Purcell, Robert Gavin, Terry Mongan, Patrick Gavin and Douglas Purcell who gave undertakings in the same terms as the orders yesterday. Two other defendants, Sam Gavin and Paul Gavin, were not in court and the injunctions continue to apply to them.
Dara Dowling, for the seven Travellers in court, said yesterday they would give undertakings to comply with the judge's order. Ms Dowling added that council officials had arrived in four-wheel drive vehicles on the land and had taken pictures there in what could be seen as a provocative action.
Ms Justice Laffoy said it was the council's land and what had been going on there had created a source of danger to the public.
The council had to reinstate the embankment as, because of the excavations carried out, it constituted a hazard to the public and it had to be put right. The judge warned that if there was any breach of the order, the council could seek orders for their committal to prison.
In relation to the two other defendants not in court, one of whom may be in hospital, the judge said they would be subject to the original order she made last week.
The court was told the Travellers had arrived on the site in November 2005 with some seven to eight caravans and mobile homes.
Ms Justice Laffoy said yesterday that the affidavits in the case disclosed a serious state of affairs which could be dangerous to the public. She warned there must be no repetition of the conduct which had led to her order. She returned the matter to May 10th.
The court also heard separate High Court proceedings are taking place concerning unauthorised caravans and mobile homes on the site. The defendants, along with about 60 other Travellers, have issued proceedings against the council and the Attorney General.