Archives show issue was hot topic at ‘Corpo’ meetings

to keep the itinerants out of the car park.

He said it seemed to him the Corporation was unable to come to grips with the problem.

He said the Committee did a lot of good work but they didn’t follow it up and seemed to be totally ignorant of the problems caused by itinerants.

Ald. John Harrison said a lot of ef for ts had been made to tack le the itinerant problem but there had never been any follow through.

He said they could not entirely blame the itinerants because a lot of them didn’t know any better and it was up to the Corporation and the Health Authorities to help them.

Town Clerk Mr John McNabola assured members of Sligo Corporation that traveller caravans would be removed f rom Connaughton Road the day follow ing the Corporation meeting. Key players in Sligo 1980’s

McLoughlin Sligo Corporation Members: Cllrs Declan Bree, Sean MacManus, Tony Kathleen (now TD), Roddy McGuinn, Stephen McDonagh, Michael Carroll, Lyons, Jim McGoldrick, Sheelagh Hanly, John Harrison, Tommy Higgins, Matt McGarry.

Clerk John Sligo Corporation Officials: County Manager Paul Byrne, Town McNabola

Itinerant Settlement Committee: Fr Christy Jones, Joe Clarke

North Western Health Board

Garda Síochána just one family was illegally parked on Connaughton Road and legal proceedings were in train to have them moved.

He added there was ample space for 32 caravans at Bally f ree halting site

Mr Joe Clarke of the Itinerant Settlement Committee, said a “small halting site inside the borough area would be an ideal solution.”

He said the itinerants did not want to go out to Bally f ree because they would lose qualif ication for the dole and social welfare payments.

Fr Christ y Jones said any travelling family who stayed in Sligo for si x months should go straight to the top of the housing list.

Traveller Patrick Sweeney said he was aware that travellers were afraid to go to Bally f ree because of the “bully boys” who used it and acted as “Lords of the Manor.”

He said a cer tain Councillor he had asked for help had done so, but another Councillor told him to go to Fr Jones for assistance. .

Mr Byrne said he made it clear to the Itinerant Settlement Committee that it would be ver y dif f icult to persuade public representatives to agree to a new halting site when the one which already existed was not being used.

Inspector J. J. McCallion explained there was no way the Garda would be harassing itinerants.

It was agreed to set up a new Committee to meet monthly and monitor progress. 30 years on, no solution has been found.