Latest news with #TravellerCommunity
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Majority of carvans camped on Curragh remain despite court order, judge hears
The majority of more than 80 caravans camping on Department of Defence-owned lands in the Curragh, Co Kildare, were still there on Friday morning despite a High Court order that they leave by 1pm, a judge was told. As a result, Mr Justice Brian Cregan ordered that interim injunctions he granted on Tuesday over the alleged trespass should remain in place until further order. More than 80 caravans, believed to be occupied by members of the Traveller community who come over from England and France for the summer, had parked at a number of different locations on the Curragh plain since March, the court heard earlier this week. Their presence has resulted in 'mountains of rubbish' having to be removed at a cost so far of €31,700. Some €186,000 was spent on similar clean-ups last year in what has become an annual problem for land owners, residents, and horse trainers in the Curragh, the Minister for Defence has claimed in proceedings seeking to remove the caravans. READ MORE There have also been problems with noise nuisance, scramblers and quad bikes causing damage to greens on a golf course, dogs running around horses being trained and animals being left to graze on the plain. The Defence Forces have been prevented from carrying out training on a firing range on the lands. The case was returned to Friday when there was no appearance for any of the caravan dwellers, including 21 named individuals who it had been possible to identify. The court heard the injunction notices were either handed to the occupants or pinned by bailiffs to the caravan doors and included a 'plain English' version of them ordered by the court. Kelley Smith SC, for the Minister, said that as of 10.10am on Friday, there were 60 caravans at four different locations on the lands. One slightly troubling aspect was that one group of caravans had moved from one location within the lands to another, she said. She applied to make the interim injunctions interlocutory, which means they stay in place pending the full hearing of the Minister's case against the defendants. Mr Justice Cregan said he was satisfied to grant the orders sought and said in notifying the defendants about the orders they should be informed, again in plain English, that further applications may be brought against them. Ms Smith said in event of failure to comply with the orders, it may be necessary to apply for attachment and committal orders seeking the jailing of the defendants for contempt.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Most of carvans camped on Curragh plain still there, court hears
The majority of more than 80 caravans camping on Department of Defence-owned lands in the Curragh, Co Kildare, were still there on Friday morning despite a High Court order that they leave by 1pm, a judge was told. As a result, Mr Justice Brian Cregan ordered that interim injunctions he granted on Tuesday over the alleged trespass should remain in place until further order. Advertisement More than 80 caravans, believed to be occupied by members of the Traveller Community who come over from England and France for the summer, had parked at a number of different locations on the Curragh plain since March, the court heard earlier this week. Their presence has resulted in "mountains of rubbish" having to be removed at a cost so far of €31,700. Some €186,000 was spent on similar clean ups last year in what has become an annual problem for land owners, residents, and horse trainers in the Curragh, the Minister for Defence has claimed in proceedings seeking to remove the caravans. There have also been problems with noise nuisance, scramblers and quad bikes causing damage to greens on a golf course, dogs running around horses being trained and animals being left to graze on the plain. Advertisement The Defence Forces have been prevented from carrying out training on a firing range on the lands. The case was returned to Friday when there was no appearance for any of the caravan dwellers, including 21 named individuals who it had been possible to identify. The court heard the injunction notices were either handed to the occupants or pinned by bailiffs to the caravan doors and included a "plain English" version of them ordered by the court. Kelley Smith SC, for the minister, said that as of 10.10am on Friday, there were 60 caravans at four different locations on the lands. One slightly troubling aspect was that one group of caravans had moved from one location within the lands to another, she said. Advertisement She applied to make the interim injunctions interlocutory which means they stay in place pending the full hearing of the minister's case against the defendants. Mr Justice Cregan said he was satisfied to grant the orders sought and said in notifying the defendants about the orders they should be informed, again in plain English, that further applications may be brought against them. Ms Smith said in event of failure to comply with the orders, it may be necessary to apply for attachment and committal orders seeking the jailing of the defendants for contempt. ends
RTÉ News
20-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Shop cleared of discrimination over €68 payment in coins
A supermarket has been cleared of discriminating against two children who were asked by a cashier if they had "anything larger" when they tried to pay for €68 worth of groceries with 10c and 20c coins. The children's father filed a complaint accusing the accusing the unidentified supermarket of a breach of the Equal Status Act 2000 by refusing service to the children on 22 December 2023 because they were members of the Traveller Community. The claim was ruled "not well founded" by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in a decision published today (FRI), which was anonymised because of the involvement of minors. The tribunal heard that at around 1.30pm on the day of the incident, a cashier had scanned €68 worth of shopping through a checkout for the girl and boy, whose father was outside the premises in a car. The cashier's evidence was that she counted out €26.80 comprising €1 and €2 coins and 20c and 10c pieces. "[It] took some time to count," she told the WRC at a remote hearing last month. When she asked the children for the rest of the sum due, the young girl produced a purse with "a large amount of 10- and 20-cent coins inside", she told the WRC. The cashier then asked the children whether they had "anything larger to pay with". She explained that there was "a large queue building up" at her till. The children said they did not and left to fetch their father, the cashier said. She said he asked her why she was not taking their money, and that she found him "very confrontational". She told the WRC she "made it clear to him that she was not refusing to take his money" and had only asked for notes because it was "a very busy day". There were "a lot more than 50 coins involved". The supermarket owner came to the till and intervened, the tribunal heard. The owner gave evidence that the father showed her that he had banknotes, but told her he "wished to pay in full using coins". The owner then proposed that the father could count out the exact amount owed in coins, or count it out in batches of €5-€10, she said. The father of the children replied: "You are refusing to accept our payment." She said she was "trying to find a solution" and even offered coin bags to count out the loose change – but the father of the children "turned and walked away and left the store mid-conversation". The children's father gave evidence that they told him at the car that they "were not being served" and that he went in to find out why. He told the WRC he "supported what [his wife] had said about the event" in presenting the claim. The family's position, as presented by the children's mother at last month's hearing, was that the children were "refused service at the supermarket because they were members of the Travelling Community". "The children suffered embarrassment in the shop with locals present, and suffered embarrassment with their friends because of the incident". The supermarket's solicitors, Sweeney McGann, submitted that the business offered an apology to the children's mother for the "misunderstanding" in a bid to de-escalate the situation as well as a voucher as a goodwill gesture, which was refused. Adjudicator Peter O'Brien wrote in a decision published today that it was "not prejudicial" for the cashier to ask the children if they had "larger-value coins or notes to complete their purchases". He noted that by law, "no entity other than the Central Bank or such persons as ordered by the Minister [for Finance] shall be obliged to accept more than 50 coins denominated in euro or in cent in a single transaction". He noted that the only person who had given direct evidence to him about the initial incident was the cashier, as anything the children had told their parents was "hearsay". The cashier's evidence that she "never refused to complete the purchase" but simply asked the children whether there was "a more convenient way to pay", he wrote. "The request to pay with larger value notes or coins could easily have applied to a minor who was not a member of the Travelling Community or indeed any adult who presented with large amounts of small coinage on such a busy day," he wrote. He concluded the cashier's actions were reasonable and that she "did not engage in discriminatory or prohibited conduct", and dismissed the complaint.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Traveller girls look wedding-ready on their Communion day - complete with ballgowns, carriages and three-tier cakes
Perching on white thrones beside three-tiered cakes adorned with white icing, their make-up perfect and tiaras perched on their heads, the girls looked every inch the perfect brides in their voluminous white gowns. But these scenes were not from a lavish wedding day, however. Girls from the Traveller community have been enjoying the UK and Ireland's most lavish First Holy Communions throughout April and May when the religious ceremony is traditionally held. With white, flowing gowns, balloon arches, and a carriage suitable for Cinderella herself, one might easily mistake the events, where Catholic children receive the Eucharist for the first time, for weddings. In addition to marking the important rite of passage of receiving the body and blood of Christ for the first time, a child's First Holy Communion appears to be an excuse for parents and loved ones to throw an unforgettable bash to remember the occasion. One young woman employed the help of hair stylist Tori Boylan, who describes herself on her TikTok as a 'pro bridal and party hair specialist', to achieve her jaw-dropping look. The girl from Rathkeale, County Limerick, put on a glittering display in a dramatic white ball gown, white sash, floor-length veil and net gloves. She finished off her look with glamorous makeup, complete with a pink blusher and matching lipstick. Her look isn't one-of-a-kind, and another bridal specialist, @kimsqueenstyles, worked with a duo of girls called Sofia and Vallerina to mark their First Holy Communion in a similar fashion. Kim shared an image of one of the young girls stood on the stage, which featured a balloon arch and a LED light up cross, mirroring an engagement pose, as a man, presumably her father, knelt down on one knee with her hand in his for a photograph. Prior to the event, Sofia and Vallerina posed on the stage in silk white robes before changing into their elaborate gowns. Both of them opted for similar hair and makeup styles, which included glowing, bronzed faces, and their hair up to ensure the focus was on their dazzling gold and pearl tiaras. Elsewhere, a different young lady appeared to have trumped the others when it comes to having the most dramatic First Holy Communion entrance. TikTok account @royalbridalweddings shared a clip of a girl, dressed in an elegant princess dress and holding a silver wand, arriving at her First Holy Communion in a magical white carriage with her family. She was helped in and out of the carriage by presumably her mother, who also dressed in white for the happy occasion. And it was no easy feat, with her mother and other guests throwing the flowing material from the girl's dress into the carriage before they could set off to their destination. Meanwhile, another girl called Savanna looked equally as elegant as she donned a long-sleeved white glittering gown for her special day. The same TikTok account shared a short clip of the girl posing and swishing around in her dress, enjoying time at home before setting off to the venue. @toriboylan95 MY RATHKEALE COMMUNION GIRL TODAY SANTANA 🤍✨🤍✨ HAIRSTYLIST TORIBOYLAN94 ON INSTAGRAM FOLLOW ME 🤍✨🤍✨ MAKEUP @Melanie Meade ♬ original sound - Tori Boylan Elsewhere, another called Annie added a white umbrella to complete her glamorous look. Annie had a stylist spritzing perfume in her hair before she walked outside of her home, which was decorated with a white carpet rolled out for her to step out onto. 'Here is Annie', @kimsqueenstyles wrote alongside the footage of the young girl on her special day. One dress was clearly not enough for her, and Annie later changed into a stunning after-party dress made from gathered white material. In a different post, Kim shared footage of another event she worked on for a young girl called Juliet, who sat posing on a floral embellished swing in the sunshine for photographs. Later on, the swing appeared to move inside as Juliet posed by what appeared to be the same swing under the neon lights of the after party. Meanwhile, Nicole Mcadorey from Belfast shared footage of her daughter posing in her white dress before her First Holy Communion. 'We have waited forever for this day - my little darling's First Holy Communion,' Nicole wrote alongside the clip of her daughter. It's not just elaborate gowns and fancy decorations that families have splashed out on for their children's communions, but also lavish cakes. One young girl called Nellie enjoyed a stunning three-tiered cake, complete with white frosting and pink icing flowers designed by White Blossom Bakes. Meanwhile, another event planner called Andrea Shillingford, who goes by Extravagant Travellers Events, shared images of another three-tiered cake draped in flowers for a young girl called Rosie. Rosie appeared delighted as she posed on the marble dancefloor, which was inscribed with the words, 'Rosie's Holy Communion'. It comes after a bride who tied the knot in lavish style at The Dorchester has pulled off what appears to be the UK's most expensive Traveller wedding to date. Louise Durant, 21, and Billy Maguire, 22, celebrated their union in a winter wonderland wedding at the luxurious Mayfair hotel - where room hire can start at £10,000 - surrounded by 350 guests. The bride, whose family is from the Traveller community, said the festive nuptials - which took place in December - were 'more than a dream come true'. 'It was beyond my wildest imaginations,' she told MailOnline. 'The day started amazingly and just got better and better. It was perfect.' The family had been saving for two years, and indeed no expense was spared to create the perfect magical occasion. Louise's parents couldn't confirm how much exactly the wedding set them back, but said it was well over £100,000 - and didn't baulk when figures of around £250,000 were mentioned. Those in attendance at the five-star venue on Park Lane - which has been visited by the likes of David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor - were treated to glittering décor with flowers as white as snow, festive candles, icy blue lighting and an elegantly trimmed Christmas tree. The azure dancefloor, which featured a glitzy disco ball gave the illusion of an ice rink for the happy couple to enjoy dancing on, while each table was adorned with snow globes and Christmas cracker party favours containing Bible verses. Friends and family compared the beaming bride to a 'princess', who was the image of glamour in a structured ivory gown, while followers on social media likened the celebrations to a ' royal wedding '. Louise, 21, and Billy, 22, live in Yorkshire and had been together for four years before deciding to tie the knot. Festivities on December 14 kicked off with a bang as four ex-London double decker buses picked up guests from their hotel, the Hilton on Park Lane, at 11.30am and took them all to St John's Church in Hyde Park. Louise's dress - by Eleni Bridal Couture of North London - featured a corset-style bodice embroidered with lace detailing, which fanned out into a sweeping skirt, and long sleeves which puffed at the shoulders. The bride and her 12 bridesmaids were taken there in a horse-drawn carriage from The Dorchester. She entered the church with music from the London Fanfare Trumpets who had dressed for the ceremony to look like Coldstream Guards. The service was an hour, and then guests were taken to The Dorchester for the wedding breakfast and the evening service. Starters was a mushroom soup with pastry on top, while the main featured a festive Christmas turkey dinner. To finish up, desert was sticky toffee pudding with the couple's initials and the date of the wedding written in chocolate sauce. Each table was adorned with snow globes containing photos of Billy and Louise, white shortbread biscuits in the shape of a dove, and Christmas crackers which contained a verse from bible and a chocolate in. The evening ceremony was in The Dorchester's ballroom and ran until 1am - and Louise and Billy's first dance was Ain't Nobody by US funk band Rufus and Chaka Khan. Music was provided by The Function Band and DJ Andrea Shillingford. One of the guests - Belsie Connors, who regularly sings at Traveller fairs and events - also sang for the occasion. Louise and Billy - who work for the family's holiday and lettings business - stayed at The Dorchester until December 16 and then embarked on a three and a half week honeymoon to Barbados, Orlando and New York. 'We had family from all corners of the UK, it was brilliant to see everyone. I had the best bridesmaids,' the bride gushed. 'The staff at the Dorchester were incredible, they helped make our big day all the more memorable. 'These are memories that will last a lifetime.' Her mother Vicky Morrison, who lives with relatives on a gated compound made up of five static homes near the village of Bagworth in Leicestershire, said the whole family 'chipped in' to make the couple's dream wedding come to life.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Moment police arrest and handcuff two '10-year-old boys' as furious mother accuses force of 'pure abuse of power' in lead-up to Appleby Horse Fair
A distressed mother has accused police of 'pure abuse of power' after they arrested and handcuffed her son and another youngster right in front of her. The boys, both understood to be 10 years old, were approached by Cumbria Police officers in Kirkby Lonsdale yesterday morning after reports that a member of the public had been threatened with a penknife. However, following an extensive search no knife or other weapon was found and the boys were released. Cumbria Police later said in a statement they had been handcuffed 'for their and officers safety while the searches were completed.' But footage of the incident shows one of the boys clearly becoming agitated after being handcuffed - with his mother also becoming tearful at the sight of her detained son. Posting the video on social media, where it has so far been viewed tens of thousands of times, the distraught mother - who is believed to be from the Traveller community - alleged the police action had amounted to 'bullying'. The incident occurred in the run-up to the annual Appleby Horse Fair, which takes place next month and represents the largest traditional Gypsy and Traveller fair in Europe. In the short video, the mother can be heard pleading with the officer and says: 'He's a little 10-year-old boy.' She then attempts to comfort her son, who is visibly crying. Appealing to the officer again, the mother asks him not to handcuff her son, but he remains resolute. 'He's a f***ing kid,' she tells him, before the officer assures her that he will 'explain what he did'. The mother then says: 'Don't hurt him'. As the commotion continues, a second youngster is seen being led away by officers in handcuffs. A day after the incident, the mother wrote: 'Our boys were put in handcuffs on the basis of False allegations! Pure abuse of power and provoking behaviour! Bullying 10 year olds!' The impassioned mother added: 'You wouldn't see them doing this to any other community! 'And they wonder why our children are frit [afraid] of them, this could of been handled in a completely different manner. #abuseofpower'. In a statement posted after the video was circulated, a police spokesperson said: 'Cumbria Police are aware of concerns being expressed on social media in response to the handcuffing and search of two boys at Kirkby Lonsdale. 'At around 11.30am on 22 May 2025 Cumbria Police received a call for service from a member of the public reporting a group of boys on the path by the River Lune, one of whom threatened the caller with a penknife. 'Officers carried out a search in the area and located two boys based on the descriptions provided. 'Due to the report of a knife, the boys were handcuffed for their and officers safety while the searches were completed. 'A search was carried out and no knife located, and the handcuffs removed. 'Officers continue to engage with people in the area. 'Stop and search will be used as appropriate to ensure the safety of all communities as we work to ensure everyone has a safe Appleby Fair.' Around 30,000 visitors from all over Europe descend each year on the small town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, which has hosted the event since 1775. Cumbria Police said it employs an extensive policing operation to 'enhance public safety' at the event, with last year seeing more than 100 arrests taking place.
