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Roma family facing removal orders

M50 Roundabout - Immigration documents served
M50 Roundabout - Immigration documents served

An extended Roma family who have been living on a roundabout in Ballymun for several weeks have been served with immigration papers.

Pavee Point has reiterated its call on the Government to provide emergency accommodation for members of the family.

They also want the Government to put pressure on authorities in Romania to improve living conditions for people there.

Members of the Garda National Immigration Bureau visited the encampment, and a derelict house on the Old Swords Road, early this morning.

More than 50 members of the Rostas family have been living in makeshift huts and tents in two separate encampments just off the M50 since shortly after they arrived in Ireland in May.

Earlier this week Pavee Point and Crosscare highlighted their plight, calling on the authorities to intervene and provide emergency accommodation for the Rostas, the youngest of whom is six weeks old.

At 5.30am this morning, members of the Garda National Immigration Bureau visited the encampments, and a derelict house on the Old Swords and served a total of 86 persons with immigration papers.

Gardaí say the operation was carried out under the direction of the Superintendent at Santry Garda Station.

Romanian translators accommpanied gardaí to the site and the visit passed off without incident.

As members of the EU, Romanian nationals are entitled to travel to Ireland without a visa, however, they are not allowed to work without a visa.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice says the individuals concerned have been informed that Minister Brian Lenihan is considering making removal orders from the state, under European Law relating to the free movement of persons, on public health and financial grounds.

They have 15 days to make representations to the Justice Minister about why he should not make a removal order.