The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, has raised concerns about unsafe housing, homelessness, discrimination, and mental health issues faced by Traveller and Roma people in Ireland. O’Flaherty called on the government to repeal trespassing laws that criminalize Travellers for living on public or private land, but the government has not indicated any plans to review these laws.
Despite a recommendation in 2019 to scrap trespassing laws, especially those criminalizing Travellers for living on public land, the Irish government has not taken action. Travellers face eviction, imprisonment, and impoundment of their trailers for breaching these laws, hindering their nomadic lifestyle. The government’s response to O’Flaherty’s report did not address his call for a repeal of trespassing legislation.
Travellers and Roma people in Ireland face structural racism, discrimination, and challenges in accessing rights and services. The Commissioner’s report highlighted issues such as over-representation in the prison system, mental health crises, inequity in education, discrimination in housing, and challenges in taking anti-discrimination cases. The government acknowledged the importance of the report and expressed a commitment to addressing the issues faced by Travellers and Roma in Ireland.
