Fire destroys Co Galway house purchased by council for Traveller family

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

Full story here...


https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/fire-destroys-co-galway-house-purchased-by-council-for-traveller-family-1.4342767

I’m not sure what I’m more appalled by, the fact that a perfectly good house was burned down or the fact the local council shelled out FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY THOUSAND for a house for a traveller family.

It makes me sick to my stomach, I am scrimping and saving for 5 years to get a deposit together and these absolute leeches to society have this just given to them. So when I look at the deductions every month to my payslip I know where they’re going.

Disgusting disgusting country.

UsBus

No surprise really.
Neighbours in the vicinity of the house took the only option available to them.
Burn the house or risk having their own house value erased and their neighbourhood destroyed by rubbish and anti social behaviour. PCs mightn't like it but that is the reality of the situation. I wouldn't blame this action in any way

johnnyskeleton

I’m not sure what I’m more appalled by, the fact that a perfectly good house was burned down or the fact the local council shelled out FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY THOUSAND for a house for a traveller family.

Former city mayor, Cllr Niall McNeilis, said there is concern that the fire might have been started deliberately to prevent the Traveller family moving in there.

I think the fact that the house was burned down, possibly motivated by local opposition to a traveller family moving in, is by far the most appalling aspect of this.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

I think the fact that the house was burned down, possibly motivated by local opposition to a traveller family moving in, is by far the most appalling aspect of this.

So would you be happy with a traveller family moving next door to you? I assume by your post you’d have no issues with that.

Be honest now.

Eric Cartman

Hunky Monster wrote: »

So would you be happy with a traveller family moving next door to you? I assume by your post you’d have no issues with that.

Be honest now.

obviously here is anonymous but on Facebook its all too apparent in comment sections

"this is awful" - Karen, donnybrook
"travellers are fine to live beside" - Fionn , dalkey
"Irish people are so racist against travellers" - Vogue double-barrel, killiney.

kenmm

Scummy behaviour all round and shows that we need to seriously rethink our housing strategy in this country.

But sorry - onward with the usual polarised views, traveler/social welfare/council estate/landlord stereotypes etc etc

unhappys10

430k is crazy when others are struggling to scrape deposits together, it shouldn't be happening.

Having said that, I live in a small estate (20 houses) and have a traveller family across the street. We've been renting here 2 years and there literally hasn't been a peep out of them, nothing, if I didn't see them coming and going I wouldn't know they were there at all. So not all are bad.

UsBus

Guy at the far end of my estate has a traveller family one side of him and a Roma family the other side. They are hounding the council to sort it out with all the trouble going on. I don't know how he gets up in the morning

DellyBelly

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

I think the fact that the house was burned down, possibly motivated by local opposition to a traveller family moving in, is by far the most appalling aspect of this.

I'd agree with the OP here. 430,000 for a house for a traveler family is madness...why do we work at all...

TheBoyConor

House torched by locals to preserve and safeguard their own homes and families.
I cannot hold anything against the locals. they did what they had to do because there would be a fair chance that if they did nothing, they were in for 20 years of antisocial behaviour, crime and possibly even unauthorised expansion of the place into an unofficial site with extended family members moving caravans and mobile homes onto the grounds of the house.

unhappys10

DellyBelly wrote: »

I'd agree with the OP here. 430,000 for a house for a traveler family is madness...why do we work at all...

Waste of time, if you quit your job in the morning you'd nearly be better off.

unhappys10

DellyBelly wrote: »

I'd agree with the OP here. 430,000 for a house for a traveler family is madness...why do we work at all...

Waste of time, if you quit your job in the morning you'd nearly be better off.

unhappys10

DellyBelly wrote: »

I'd agree with the OP here. 430,000 for a house for a traveler family is madness...why do we work at all...

Waste of time, if you quit your job in the morning you'd nearly be better off.

TheBoyConor

Having said that, I live in a small estate (20 houses) and have a traveller family across the street. We've been renting here 2 years and there literally hasn't been a peep out of them, nothing, if I didn't see them coming and going I wouldn't know they were there at all. So not all are bad.

Possibly it is a drug-house, or some other illicit gig going on there and they are making an effort to stay off of the radar so as to not draw attention to their illicit activities.

unhappys10

TheBoyConor wrote: »

Possibly it is a drug-house, or some other illicit gig going on there and they are making an effort to stay off of the radar so as to not draw attention to their illicit activities.

Hardly, its 2 parents with 4 kids. They wash clothes and hang them out, they go to Tesco for shopping, they cook dinner in the evening. Surprise surprise, just like you.

Zookey123

Jesus christ what people will say when they are anonymous on a Boards thread. Advocating for arson now are we? A new low i would say. Not a huge fan of travelers myself but wouldnt go around burning their caravans.

Timberrrrrrrr

TheBoyConor wrote: »

Possibly it is a drug-house, or some other illicit gig going on there and they are making an effort to stay off of the radar so as to not draw attention to their illicit activities.

What an absolutely idiotic post!

Eric Cartman

unhappys10 wrote: »

430k is crazy when others are struggling to scrape deposits together, it shouldn't be happening.

Having said that, I live in a small estate (20 houses) and have a traveller family across the street. We've been renting here 2 years and there literally hasn't been a peep out of them, nothing, if I didn't see them coming and going I wouldn't know they were there at all. So not all are bad.

you're either very lucky or something else is up,
although how do you know they're travellers if theres not a peep out of them ?

LessOutragePlz

I hope the council had insurance on the house.

Duke of Url

Im not surprised

Eric Cartman

Eric Cartman wrote: »

you're either very lucky or something else is up,
although how do you know they're travellers if theres not a peep out of them ?

It says a lot about you that you also favourited the post hypothesizing that they're drug dealers...

unhappys10

Eric Cartman wrote: »

you're either very lucky or something else is up,
although how do you know they're travellers if theres not a peep out of them ?

They came to the house last Halloween trick or treating.
Probably scoping out the place :rolleyes:

UsBus

kenmm wrote: »

But sorry - onward with the usual polarised views, traveler/social welfare/council estate/landlord stereotypes etc etc

It's this sort of opinion that allows a council to splurge 400k on a traveller house. Nobody puts the brakes on to ask why taxpayer money is being wasted in this fashion for fear of being labelled. Not many will admit to it, but a lot of people would take the same action if faced with this situation. It's the only option in this country anymore. I for one am not going to work all my life to live in anti social squalor if I can avoid it.

kenmm

Deleted User wrote: »

It says a lot about you that you also favourited the post hypothesizing that they're drug dealers...

don't forget the shanty towns to house those that are a bit of a scumbag - that was classic :pac: :pac:

Another bonfire of taxpayer money. And the Travellers have no problem fuelling it provided they never contribute a solitary cent.

Blondini

Copper pipes, wires and cylinder are probably salvageable?

Eric Cartman

unhappys10 wrote: »

They came to the house last Halloween trick or treating.
Probably scoping out the place :rolleyes:

and did they say 'trick or treat, were travellers' or how did you tell ?

TheBoyConor

Other possibility is that the traveller family torched the house themselves as they might not have wanted to move into that house.

Eric Cartman

TheBoyConor wrote: »

Other possibility is that the traveller family torched the house themselves as they might not have wanted to move into that house.

is the garden big enough for a stables ?

kenmm

UsBus wrote: »

It's this sort of opinion that allows a council to splurge 400k on a traveller house. Nobody puts the brakes on to ask why taxpayer money is being wasted in this fashion for fear of being labelled. Not many will admit to it, but a lot of people would take the same action if faced with this situation. It's the only option in this country anymore. I for one am not going to work all my life to live in anti social squalor if I can avoid it.

Ah I see you omitted my first comment about the desperate need for reform.

What point do you turn to arson? Where do you keep the pitchforks in case you don't get on with one of your neighbours?

Zookey123

TheBoyConor wrote: »

Other possibility is that the traveller family torched the house themselves as they might not have wanted to move into that house.

Any evidence of this or are you just spouting rubbish?

Duke of Url

Deleted User wrote: »

Another bonfire of taxpayer money. And the Travellers have no problem fuelling it provided they never contribute a solitary cent.

Maybe it was insured.

unhappys10

Eric Cartman wrote: »

and did they say 'trick or treat, were travellers' or how did you tell ?

Don't be stupid, I have eyes in my head and 2 ears. I can spot travellers like most people can, just like I can spot eejits on the internet.

Zookey123

Barack Obumba wrote: »

Travellers are oppressed but a council will spend 430K on a free house for them.

Sign me up to that oppression please!

But they are oppressed in this case since their house just got burned down or did you not read the post?

TheBoyConor

I am speculating based on experience I had with that minority.
I know of a house that was burnt out twice in 6 months. 1st time because of a feud. Council re-furbished the house and was almost ready. Then it was burnt out again by the family supposed to move back in. They didn't want to move back to the area as the feud would reignite when they did.

The average person who doesn't have much dealings with them doesn't actually have a clue as to what really goes on in that section of society. They are too insulated from reality. I could tell you stories you would not believe.

TheBoyConor

TheBoyConor wrote: »

I am speculating based on experience I had with that minority.
I know of a house that was burnt out twice in 6 months. 1st time because of a feud. Council re-furbished the house and was almost ready. Then it was burnt out again by the family supposed to move back in. They didn't want to move back to the area as the feud would reignite when they did.

The average person who doesn't have much dealings with them doesn't actually have a clue as to what really goes on in that section of society. They are too insulated from reality. I could tell you stories you would not believe.

You're making incredible leaps in terms of your speculation because you don't like travelers. When somebody mentioned a traveller family not causing any trouble, you concluded they were drug dealers... That reflects on you more than anything.

Irish_peppa

Must of been some 4 bed house for 430,000 in Carnmore !

TheBoyConor

Deleted User wrote: »

You're making incredible leaps in terms of your speculation because you don't like travelers. When somebody mentioned a traveller family not causing any trouble, you concluded they were drug dealers... That reflects on you more than anything.

Maybe contact Galway Council. You could offer for them to move into your back yard for a few months. I'm sure you'd only be delighted to host a lovely traveller family for the winter when it must be oh so cold outside.

Zookey123

TheBoyConor wrote: »

I am speculating based on experience I had with that minority.
I know of a house that was burnt out twice in 6 months. 1st time because of a feud. Council re-furbished the house and was almost ready. Then it was burnt out again by the family supposed to move back in. They didn't want to move back to the area as the feud would reignite when they did.

The average person who doesn't have much dealings with them doesn't actually have a clue as to what really goes on in that section of society. They are too insulated from reality. I could tell you stories you would not believe.

I have lived in close proximity to travelers for years and never had a good interaction but burning a families house down is ok?? They could have little kids inside. That was a real scummy move and whoever did it should face the full force of the law. You mightn't like travelers but they are human and some of them are actually all right.

StackSteevens

unhappys10 wrote: »

Having said that, I live in a small estate (20 houses) and have a traveller family across the street. We've been renting here 2 years and there literally hasn't been a peep out of them, nothing, if I didn't see them coming and going I wouldn't know they were there at all.

So not all are bad.

Well said. I belive that the issue here is that no-one knows whether the family that was going to get the house in Galway (or in other locations where similar fires have occurred) was a completely inoffensive one - like the travelling family in your estate - or was one of the more anti-social, "neighbour from hell" families that some other renters and homeowners have the misfortune to live beside.

So, just to be on the safe side, the house was burnt down.

It's probably impossible nowadays due to various rights and PC agendas, but if the Council's Traveller Housing Officer was able to meet with locals and try to reassure them that the family earmarked for that particular home were a law abiding and "respectable" (please excuse the judgmental term) traveller family, then these kinds of incidents mightn't happen.

In an information vacuum, rumours travel fast and people tend to fear the worst and act accordingly.

jammiedodgers

Did the €430k include stables or were they extra?

Eric Cartman

Zookey123 wrote: »

I have lived in close proximity to travelers for years and never had a good interaction but burning a families house down is ok?? They could have little kids inside. That was a real scummy move and whoever did it should face the full force of the law. You mightn't like travelers but they are human and some of them are actually all right.

the house was vacant, they hadn't moved in yet.

the only time travellers have ever had the house set on fire with them inside is that time in carrickmines the dad left the chip pan on when he fell asleep high on benzos and full of drink.

IAMAMORON

It is the corruption in the council that wrecks my head the most.

Somebody somewhere got a backhander to sign for € 430,000. That is a lot of money for a gaff all things considered.

I hope the CnAG investigates Galway Co council over this.

I have no issue with travellers wanting to settle, but Co Council backhanders are where it seems to be at. They forked out a million for the family in Dunsink. Do they pay them in cash or bank draft? Somebody somewhere is getting a backhander there too.

TheBoyConor

It's probably impossible nowadays due to various rights and PC agendas, but if the Council's Traveller Housing Officer was able to meet with locals and try to reassure them that the family earmarked for that particular home were a law abiding and "respectable" (please excuse the judgmental term) traveller family, then these kinds of incidents mightn't happen

That is grand but the thing is none the locals will believe them. They will see it as the council coming out to convince them that they are a nice family so that they can off-load them there without opposition. It'll be seen as them trying to sell the travellers to the area and they harder they try to convince, the more people will be suspicious that they might not be so nice.

TheBoyConor

IAMAMORON wrote: »

It is the corruption in the council that wrecks my head the most.

Somebody somewhere got a backhander to sign for € 430,000. That is a lot of money for a gaff all things considered.

I hope the CnAG investigates Galway Co council over this.

I have no issue with travellers wanting to settle, but Co Council backhanders are where it seems to be at. They forked out a million for the family in Dunsink. Do they pay them in cash or bank draft? Somebody somewhere is getting a backhander there too.

The council paid €430k to someone to buy the house. Why would they need to pay a backhander when they are paying out that money to someone to buy a house?

Feisar

Zookey123 wrote: »

I have lived in close proximity to travelers for years and never had a good interaction but burning a families house down is ok?? They could have little kids inside. That was a real scummy move and whoever did it should face the full force of the law. You mightn't like travelers but they are human and some of them are actually all right.

This isn't directed at yerself per se however you've provided an example of how we are so intrinsically set against travellers. Imagine we were talking about another minority, a comment like that wouldn't be allowed to stand. However like yourself I've never had a good traveller experience in fact any normal ones get marked as good almost like bonus points because they're a traveller.

StackSteevens

Eric Cartman wrote: »

the only time travellers have ever had the house set on fire with them inside is that time in carrickmines the dad left the chip pan on when he fell asleep high on benzos and full of drink.

But ultimately didn't that turn out to be all our fault?

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/carrickmines-fire-family-takes-legal-action-over-fatal-blaze-1.3470303

Mrs OBumble

StackSteevens wrote: »

Well said. I belive that the issue here is that no-one knows whether the family that was going to get the house in Galway (or in other locations where similar fires have occurred) was a completely inoffensive one - like the travelling family in your estate - or was one of the more anti-social, "neighbour from hell" families that some other renters and homeowners have the misfortune to live beside.

In this case, Galway CITY Council purchased a property which is (just) inside Galway COUNTY council's boundary. Its likely that the city council are proposing to put this family out in the country for a good reason.

Zookey123

Feisar wrote: »

This isn't directed at yerself per se however you've provided an example of how we are so intrinsically set against travellers. Imagine we were talking about another minority, a comment like that wouldn't be allowed to stand. However like yourself I've never had a good traveller experience in fact any normal ones get marked as good almost like bonus points because they're a traveller.

I agree i should have worded that better.

Mrs OBumble

Feisar wrote: »

However like yourself I've never had a good traveller experience in fact any normal ones get marked as good almost like bonus points because they're a traveller.

I've had some good experiences - but many people didn't even realise that the family involved are Travellers.

You may well have had similar.

IAMAMORON

TheBoyConor wrote: »

The council paid €430k to someone to buy the house. Why would they need to pay a backhander when they are paying out that money to someone to buy a house?

Maybe the house was only worth € 350k ?

Go figure.