Travellers Furious Over New Dail Bill

Travellers groups were today furious over new legislation passed in the Dail yesterday that forces them to immediately vacate property if requested to do so by the landowner.

The legislation was proposed by Wicklow Fianna Fail Deputy Dick Roche who said today that while most travellers are law abiding and have respect for property there are those who flout the law.

`This new law means that property owners will no longer have to go to court if they have to move people who are illegally camped on their land. If someone enters their property without permission they can ask them to leave and ask the gardai to move them. If they refuse to go the intruders are then breaking the law', he added.

However, Wicklow Travellers spokesman Jim O'Brien told Declan Meehan's Morning Show on East Coast FM that the law places everyone in a bad light.

`I have no problem with the legislation being used where someone is breaking the law but now many decent travellers will be living in fear of being moved within 24 hours if they stop anywhere', he added.

Lorraine Gallagher from Wicklow Co. Council said that while the local authority is not yet certain on how the law will be enforced, she felt it would apply largely to large convoys of travellers setting up in one place. `Every case will be taken on its merits' she added.