Traveller families facing the threat of imprisonment after breaching High Court orders to vacate a Tipperary halting site have moved their caravans – but could still face legal action as they are now on the side of the road.
John and Winnie McCarthy and William and Elizabeth McCarthy, who have a four-month-old baby, were ordered to leave the vicinity of Cabragh Bridge, Thurles, by yesterday or face jail for contempt of court.
The orders were made as part of Tipperary County Council’s ongoing efforts to house members of the extended McCarthy family in six houses built at a cost of €2.3m – but left vacant in a row over land and stables for horses.
Following a mediation process, the families were told they can keep horses at the existing stables and privately-owned land around Cabragh Bridge but would only be given keys to their new homes when all caravans had been cleared from the site, including those of a number of relatives who moved to the area in more recent years.
Speaking to RTÉ's Drivetime, the families in breach of High Court orders said alternative offers of housing had not been suitable and they still have nowhere to go.
Council officials inspected the site tyesterday afternoon accompanied by gardaí - but a spokesperson for Tipperary County Council declined to comment as the matter is still before the courts.
€2.3million #Tipperary Traveller houses still vacant as Thurles families face Jail over contempt of Court orders to leave Cabragh Bridge vicinity @drivetimerte @rtenews pic.twitter.com/fAkyCOCyJ3
— John Cooke (@johncookeradio) August 8, 2019
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Council: No agreement made to provide stables at new housing estate
#Tipperary Council & Gardaí have been to Cabragh Bridge #Thurles on foot of High Court orders to find #Traveller families have moved- across the road! I'll have the latest on the controversial €2.3million #housing @drivetimerte pic.twitter.com/7GvlimxbYP
— John Cooke (@johncookeradio) August 8, 2019
