Longford and Laois councils struggle to make housing available for Travellers.
For several years Longford County Council has been housing Travellers. However, no further accommodation will be made available to people from the Traveller Community.
The Longford County Council housing programme encouraged greater numbers of Travellers into the town. Some use public places such as a Longford car park as halting sites.
The council has taken action in the courts, and some families have been moved on.
Thirty Traveller families have been house throughout the county. In Portlaoise, 17 families have been rehoused by Laois County Council.
The search continues for a site which could be provided with the appropriate amenities.
In the meantime, the council has erected signs and dug trenches around Portlaoise's industrial estate to prevent Travellers from entering.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 5 February 1980. The reporter is Rowan Hand.
