Courts / Clare / Report

Clare council not drawing down funds for Traveller specific accommodation, court hears

Date
2017-12-20
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Ennis
County
Clare

Summary

In a High Court hearing on 20 December 2017, Clare County Council sought an injunction against Helen and Bernard McDonagh, members of the Irish Traveller Community, who had moved their caravans onto a site on Ashline, Kilrush Road in Ennis. The council claimed the site, earmarked for 40 new social housing units, was a health and safety hazard for the McDonaghs, citing lack of running water and sanitation. The council argued it had no traveller‑specific accommodation to offer and that the site had previously been used for Traveller accommodation but had been vacant after a suspected arson attack. The McDonaghs' lawyer, Niall Buckley, requested time to prepare a sworn statement and noted the council had not terminated a tenancy agreement with one of the McDonaghs. The council had offered the family a private rented four‑bedroom house in Ennis, which the McDonaghs refused, and said it was prepared to offer one of the new social housing units.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Clare council not drawing down funds for Traveller specific accommodation, court hears. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: The Council is taking the action because it plans to build 40 social housing units on the site, which it says is a health and safety hazard for the McDonagh family, and has no running water nor sanitation. CNI source report

Case subjects

Bernard McDonagh

Applicant

Outcome: The judge said that while there was some urgency to the matter, she adjourned the action to January to allow the McDonagh's reply to the claim.

Traveller Community

Applicant

Outcome: The judge said that while there was some urgency to the matter, she adjourned the action to January to allow the McDonagh's reply to the claim.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court
Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • Kilrush Road

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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