Mayo families to stage human rights protest outside council HQ

Families living on a site at Ernst Chain Road in Castlebar are seeking to raise awareness over the lack of progress from Mayo County Council in addressing the inadequate living conditions on their site.

To this end they are holding a protest outside the headquarters of Mayo County Council at the Mall, Castlebar, tomorrow (Tuesday) at 2.30 p.m.

A statement issued ahead of the protest stated: "Younger family members are reporting regular bouts of illness due to the unhygienic portaloo toilet facilities.

"The families are looking for basic human right services, including running water, electricity, flushable toilets, showers, accommodation units, maintenance after 21 years, and a meeting with the council to set in place a strategy for works to be carried out without any further delays.

"The issue has been kicked, it seems, from one staff member to another.

"After 21 years we need these most basic services provided.

"Given the recent report by the Ombudsman for Children into the conditions that young Traveller children are facing, it is high time that local government took responsibility and work sincerely to allocate budget and resolve these unhealthy living conditions for the Travelling community."

The protest is supported by Unite the Union Community branch.