Pavee Point to be asked to attend district meeting

CLLR Anthony Connick has called on a representative of Pavee Point to attend a New Ross Municipal District meeting following the crowd of around 200 people that attended the funeral of a Traveller woman in New Ross last month.

Speaking at the body’s monthly meeting, Cllr Connick suggested that Martin Collins of Pavee Point attend an upcoming meeting. He said: ‘We had a Traveller funeral in the middle of this and our staff had to deal with it. We can have a chat and see if he can help us at all. We can have a general chat about why they don’t adhere to Covid health regulations.

‘Let’s not beat around the bush here. We have to represent the people of New Ross and he has to represent his people. I’d invite any other relevant groups also so we can work hand in hand with each other.’

Cllr Michael Sheehan seconded Cllr Connick’s suggestion, adding that the council should write to the Irish Traveller Movement also.

Cllr Sheehan said: ‘ They came out very strong [at the start of the crisis] but their advice was completely ignored.

The relationship between the settled community and the Traveller community is very frayed. I think it will be very difficult to repair that relationship.’

Cllr Michael Whelan said gardaí and other frontline staff were deployed to Irishtown for the funeral.

Cllr Bridín Murphy said there are huge challenges with the Traveller community in her locality of Clonroche.

‘ There are considerable difficulties with them racing sulkies; it’s becoming a huge problem,’ she said.