Are travellers a problem in Ireland?

There are many challenges faced by Irish Travellers. The suicide rate in the Traveller community is six times higher than in the general population and seven times higher among young Traveller men. A lack of support, coupled with discrimination and racism are often cited as the main reasons for the high rate.

Why are there so many Travellers in Ireland?

Genetic analysis has shown Travellers to be of Irish extraction, and that they likely diverged from the settled Irish population in the 1600s, likely during the time of the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. The centuries of separation have led to Travellers becoming genetically distinct from the settled Irish.

What percentage of Irish is Traveller?

Irish Travellers account for approximately 0.6% of the Irish population, consisting of between 29,000-40,000 individuals.

What rights do Travellers have in Ireland?

Travellers in Ireland have the same civil and political rights as other citizens under the Constitution.

Where in Ireland has the most Travellers?

Dublin city and suburbs had the largest number of Irish Travellers with 5,089 persons. This was followed by Galway city and suburbs with 1,598 persons and Cork city and suburbs with 1,222.

How The Persecuted Irish Travellers Survive The Modern World

Are Irish Travellers white?

There are white, strongly racialized people who have been living in Ireland for centuries: Travellers. 1 Their culture and way of living is similar to the Roma people, they are also called 'Gypsies' sometimes, but there is a very significant distinction: their skin is white.

Are Irish Travellers inbred?

Irish Travellers are of Irish ancestral origin and have no particular genetic ties to European Roma groups, a DNA study has found. The research offers the first estimates of when the community split from the settled Irish population, giving a rare glimpse into their history and heritage.

Why are Travellers above the law?

"Why is it that the traveller community somehow seem above the law? They get away with causing mayhem and disruption wherever they go and the law is such that it takes an eternity to get rid of them. “The current situation is untenable and costly and clearly a change in the law is needed.”

How do you deal with travelers?

If they refuse to go, there are three main legal routes to removing travellers: applying for a possession order; using common law rights to recover the land; and relying on the police to take action. Farmers can apply to county court for a possession order.

Are Travellers indigenous to Ireland?

Irish Travellers are an indigenous minority who, historical sources confirm, have been part of Irish society for centuries. Travellers long shared history, cultural values, language, customs and traditions make them a self-defined group, and one which is recognisable and distinct.

What is the difference between a Gypsy and a Traveller?

Gypsies and Travellers are two distinct societies. While both are nomadic peoples, the two societies have totally different origins, culture, language, and physical profile. The Gypsies are generally found in Eastern Europe while the Travellers usually walk inside the territories of Ireland, UK, and the Americas.

Do Travellers get social welfare?

No, like everyone, Travellers are means tested to see if they are entitled to receive social welfare. Everyone is examined on the basis of their means (ie: how much money they have) and not on their identity. So if a Traveller is entitled to receive social welfare benefits they will.

Do Irish Travellers marry their cousins?

Consanguinity, or the marriage of first or second cousins, is quite common among Travellers because they have traditionally married within their own 31,000- strong community.

What does Black Irish mean?

The term is commonly used to describe people of Irish origin who have dark features, black hair, a dark complexion and dark eyes. A quick review of Irish history reveals that the island was subject to a number of influxes of foreign cultures.

Do Irish Travellers go to school?

Only 1% of Travellers aged 25-64 have a college degree compared with 30% for non-Travellers. Travellers are more likely to leave school early, with 28% of Travellers leaving before the age of 13, compared with 1% of non-Travellers (source ESRI A Social Portrait of Travellers in Ireland).

Can police remove travellers?

The police have powers to move Gypsies or Travellers off land where criminal activity by them can be established - just as crime committed by settled people has to be proven.

Do travellers have rights?

The rights of travelling people. Includes your rights to stop legally, park and live in a caravan, and how to access services such as healthcare and education.

How long does it take to get rid of travellers?

It can take 10 to 14 days as a minimum for this eviction to come to a successful conclusion. Again there is no penalty if the travellers return to the land. The traveller eviction is usually enforced by High Court Enforcement Officers as they have more resources and can get this done quicker than County Court Bailiffs.

What rights do travellers have on private land?

Common law, Section 61 of the Criminal Justice Act, states that landowners have the right to remove travellers from their land using 'reasonable force' if required. You do need to have Certified Enforcement officers (once known as bailiffs) involved in the process to ensure it is legal and correct.

Is it illegal to be a Traveller?

Everyone has rights, including Gypsies, Travellers and people on whose land unauthorised camping takes place. Gypsies and Travellers are protected from discrimination by the Equality Act 2010, together with all ethnic groups who have a particular culture, language and values, including white and black people.

Are Irish Travelers Romani?

There are around 300,000 Gypsy Roma and Irish Travellers in the UK – Roma Gypsies are originally from northern India, whereas Travellers are of Irish origin – and both groups are nomadic. Since 2002, Travellers have been recognised as an ethnic group and are protected under the Race Relations Act.

Where do Travellers get buried?

For a traditionally nomadic community the grave is the final or only resting place and the ultimate marker of the deceased. The cemetery will traditionally be where there are other relatives and the family have a long standing history which often goes back hundreds of years.

How do you identify a Gypsy?

Old family photos can help to identify Gypsy heritage. Photographs taken at gatherings such as hop picking or fairs might be a sign, although these were often annual events which brought together families from many backgrounds, not just Gypsies and Travellers.

What language do Irish Travellers speak?

Shelta is a language spoken by Irish Travellers. It is widely known as the Cant and De Gammon to its native speakers in Ireland. It was often spoken to exclude outsiders from understanding conversations.