Tension is running high in Athy, Co Kildare, because some travellers are intimidating patients at a doctor's surgery and children have been lighting dozens of candles in a church, it was alleged in the High Court yesterday.
Mr Justice Kelly granted permission to Dr Anthony Reeves, of Convent Lane, Athy, to notify the local urban district council that he will be applying for an injunction against the council next Wednesday to prevent the nuisance.
Mr Michael O'Donnell, counsel for Dr Reeves, said travellers were on council property beside the doctor's premises while a halting site outside town lay idle in disrepair.
The travellers had no sanitary facilities and the doctor's lands were being used for that purpose, counsel said. Goats, horses, dogs and fowl were roaming on the doctor's and surrounding properties. The matter was becoming daily more acute and tensions were rising, counsel said.
Dr Reeves, his patients and others had been threatened and despite requests the council was doing nothing, he added. Mr O'Donnell said many old and ill patients were afraid to come to the surgery.
He said Father Ailbe O'Connor, the prior of St Dominic's priory, also claimed the travellers were causing upset and distress to people attending church and damage to property.
Traveller children were a fire hazard in the church because they had lit dozens of candles, he said.
Mr O'Donnell said his client wanted the council to resolve the problems urgently. The council had a halting site outside the town lying idle and in disrepair and it could get 100 per cent funding for it.
Fixing next Wednesday for the hearing, Mr Justice Kelly said it was one in which the urgent intervention of the court might be required.