There was a fantastic show of cross community solidarity and support for Travellers at a Minceirs Whiden led protest outside Dáil Eireann today (28th Oct).
Speakers included Brigid Quilligan of the Irish Traveller Movement, Patrick Nevin of Minceirs Whiden, Maria Joyce of the National Traveller Womens’ Forum and Martin Collins of Pavee Point at what was a moving and emotional gathering.
‘All our children should be at safe accommodation and safe housing away from risk and danger’, said Maria Joyce.
Brigid Quilligan said it was time to demand change and Patrick Nevin called for the recognition of Traveller ethnic identity. Martin Collins asked every single Traveller and every single settled person to support Traveller rights.
Protestors came from all communities and from different parts of Dublin and from around the country. The protest comes 18 days after ten Travellers including five children died at a fire at a temporary halting site in South Dublin. This tragedy raises serious concerns regarding Traveller living conditions and racism and discrimination against Travellers.
A Pavee Point letter demanding urgent action from an Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD on Traveller living conditions has been signed by almost 5,000 people.