An illegal Traveller halting site established in the grounds of Ennis Town Council's HQ yesterday forced the cancellation of a planned civic reception for Russia's Special Olympic athletes at the council's offices.
This follows four Traveller families moving their caravans onto the grounds over the weekend as they escaped a High Court jail threat if they remained on the site of the former Our Lady's psychiatric hospital in Ennis.
Ennis Town Council Mayor, Cllr Peter Considine (FF), said yesterday that he was "appalled" at the actions of the Travellers.
He said: "It is absolutely intolerable. The local Special Olympics committee and volunteers have worked tirelessly over the past three years and the council is now being denied a unique opportunity to play host to the Russian delegation at its offices."
Organisers had planned for the Ennis Brass Band to play for the delegation and for activities to take place in the council's park within the local authority's grounds. However, that area is now occupied by the Travellers and the Town Council yesterday confirmed that the reception has now been transferred to the Clare County Museum, a smaller venue which will not allow any of the planned outdoor activities.
Yesterday, a private security firm employed by the council kept the gates of the council's grounds locked to prevent any additional families moving onto the council property.
One of the Travellers who moved onto the grounds, Mr Kevin Maughan, said yesterday the Travellers will not be moving until they are provided with proper accommodation by the Council.
He said: "We moved here to put pressure on the council, but also because of the new legislation which would have meant that our caravans would have been confiscated if we had parked anywhere else in Ennis."
In response to the situation, the Town Council's acting town manager, Mr Simon Moroney, confirmed yesterday that he has made a formal complaint to gardaí over the presence of the Travellers.
He said: "We are awaiting a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) if action can be taken and we should know that shortly." Mr Moroney said that no decisions in relation to providing refuse or toilet facilities for the Travellers will be given consideration until the decision of the DPP. However, it is expected that the council will be told that gardaí do not have the powers to remove the Travellers from council-owned property.
In that case, a High Court injunction may be sought for their removal.
