Dun Laoghaire site earmarked for Traveller accommodation is ‘unsafe’ says council

A site at Dun Laoghaire’s West Pier which had been earmarked for permanent Traveller accommodation has been deemed unsafe for development due to the presence of a large attenuation tank beneath the surface.

The site, which was previously as a halting site, was scheduled to accommodate three new permanent homes.

However, after the discovery of water infrastructure beneath the surface, Irish Water has declared the land unsafe for construction.

The site had been used by Traveller families since 1970s but was permanently closed on January 27.

Local councillor Hugh Lewis who chairs the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee said that the move has caused “huge concern.”

“Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council made the decision in the interests of health and safety to close the only Traveller specific accommodation in the vicinity of Dun Laoghaire Town,” he said.

“The site which is located at the West Pier in the harbour, had been earmarked for the construction of three permanent housing units.

“However, a report commissioned by Irish Water established that because of the level of water infrastructure located directly under the site, stated that the land was unfit on health and safety grounds for any level of housing to be constructed.

“This information has been accepted in good faith by all parties concerned.

“A call has now been made to the executive of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Council to source an alternate site in the area that can and will be used to develop Traveller specific housing.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council confirmed the site was found to be “unsuitable for development” due to the presence of a large attenuation tank beneath the surface.

“All families previously living on the site were provided with alternative accommodation prior to the closure,” a council spokesperson said in a statement.

“The council regrets the loss of the West Pier site from our Traveller Accommodation Programme, but remains committed to the provision of high-quality Traveller accommodation and the delivery of the remaining projects within the programme.”

Geraldine Dunne, director of Southside Travellers’ Action Group, said while they couldn’t advocate for the development of a site deemed to be unsafe, an alternative location for the project would need to be found.

She said that the group will be “lobbying” the local and the Minister for Housing to find specific Traveller accommodation.

“The West Pier site has a long history and will be a significant loss to Travellers.

“The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown programme has already lost the potential for Traveller accommodation at the Mount Anville site and now the West Pier is gone as well,” she said.