Irish Travellers' nomadic life at risk in Northern Ireland

Summarised from BBC Northern Ireland's report · Updated 30 Oct, 00:38 · Archive

The nomadic lifestyle of Irish Travellers in Northern Ireland is under pressure as accommodation sites decline and provisions deteriorate.

BBC Northern Ireland reports that Irish Travellers in Northern Ireland are feeling pressured to abandon their nomadic lifestyle and move into conventional 'bricks and mortar' housing. The Craigavon Travellers Support Committee says the number of accommodation sites and pitches has 'reduced drastically' in the past 20 years, with remaining facilities described as 'well below par'. The committee cited examples of families using shower units with sewage problems, and said the situation has left some families homeless or displaced.

One anonymous traveller at a Craigavon site told BBC News NI that 'no one cares' about the community and that moving into a house would damage mental health. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive, responsible for traveller accommodation, said it is investing in and 'future-proofing' their way of life, and is currently consulting the public on a five-year strategy for traveller accommodation.

Read the report

• Nomadic life for Irish Travellers 'at risk' due to accommodation site concernsCraigavon Travellers Support Committee says members of the community feel pressured to move into "bricks and mortar".BBC Northern Ireland · 30 Oct, 00:03

In this story: Irish Travellers · Craigavon Travellers Support Committee · Northern Ireland · Craigavon · County Armagh · Northern Ireland Housing Executive · Emma Little-Pengelly

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log