Mayo traveller family protest over housing needs as Syrian refugees arrive

MEMBERS of a traveller family in Castlebar are holding a protest outside the headquarters of Mayo County Council today to highlight claims they are not being provided with accommodation by the authority.

The McDonagh family told The Connaught Telegraph that priority is being given to refugee families ahead of them.

A submission was made to An Taoiseach Enda Kenny's constituency office in Castlebar yesterday over a Syrian family being allocated a house at Cois Aobhainn estate, off the Turlough Road, in the town.

It is understood a protest was also staged outside the local authority house in question before the refugees arrived and they were subequently transferred elsewhere.

Mayo County Council is committed to accommodating a total of 17 Syrian refugees over the coming weeks, four of whom have already arrived in Castlebar and are housed.

Speaking this afternoon outside Aras an Chontae, the council's HQ, Kathleen McDonagh said three of her sons, their wives and children were living in caravans on the roadside at Moneen for the past number of years without permanent homes being found for them.

Mrs. McDonagh, who was allocated a house by the council some time ago, said the situation is causing health problems for her family and it was time a stand was taken.

She was accompanied by her sons, Bernie, Owen and Jason, as well as her daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

They held up banners which read: 'We want our Rights', 'We are from Castlebar', 'We need to be Heard', 'We suffer from Mental Health', 'We are living in Poverty' and 'No Safe Environment'.

“The council are not doing enough for us. Yet it is very quick to find houses for families from outside this country,” stated Bernie McDonagh, one of Kathleen's sons.

“We are fed up living on the side of the road. We have been trying to get a house for a long time,” he added.

John Condon, head of the Castlebar Municipal District, said traveller families are treated the same way as other people on the social housing list.

“Holding protests of this nature is not helping their case,” he added.

Mr. Condon said the council is proceeding with plans to accommodate 17 Syrian refugees over the coming weeks and is delighted to be in a position to do so.