Irish Travellers’ nomadic life ‘is at risk’, says support committee

The nomadic life of Irish Travellers is “at risk” in Northern Ireland with members of the community feeling pressured to move into “bricks and mortar” housing, a support group has said.

The number of sites and pitches in Northern Ireland has “reduced drastically” in the past 20 years, according to the Craigavon Travellers Support Committee.

It added that the issue was “compounded” by “well below par” provisions on remaining sites.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), which is responsible for the accommodation needs of travellers, said it is investing in and future-proofing their way of life.

It is currently consulting the public on a draft strategy for the next five years, external on traveller accommodation.

Meanwhile, the Craigavon Travellers Support Committee also criticised Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly for contacting the police over roadside travellers during the summer, suggesting she should have found them somewhere suitable to stay instead.

One traveller at a site in Craigavon, who wanted to remain anonymous, told BBC News NI that “no one cares” about them.

They added: “It’s got to the point where we just put up with it.

“We feel pressured to move into a house but that isn’t our way of life. That would be horrific for mental health.

“Personally I feel no one improves it because we’re travelling people.”