The Court of Appeal dismissed a challenge to an order made for the removal of caravans at the council-owned site in Magherafelt. Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan gave those still occupying the land until early next week to relocate. Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
Mid Ulster District Council issued initial proceedings after a group of Travellers moved onto the council-owned site at Greenvale Leisure Centre in March. Concerns were raised over potential health and safety issues, along with traffic congestion at a car park used by members of the public and staff from neighbouring schools. The local authority strongly denied claims of discrimination, insisting the occupants were fully entitled to access the leisure centre’s facilities in the same way as all others.
Lawyers for Travellers argued eviction would breach their rights to a home and nomadic lifestyle protected by Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Advertisement Advertisement Disputed allegations were made that it would render them homeless due to a lack of any other suitable sites for their caravans. Although more than 40 spaces were said to be available at recreational caravan parks owned by the council, a campaigner for Travellers’ rights insisted short-term pitches at holiday locations would not solve the problem.
Last week the High Court granted the council an .
