Rathkeale to become "100% traveller" community worker warns

traprunner · 16-04-2015 08:23AM

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

That's junkies. Don't have to go to Rathkeale. You see that on the north side of Dublin city center every day of the week. They need taxpayer funded help too and thus are tolerated - until a meth clinic is proposed in a more middle area. Then the concern suddenly wanes.

They have extended to the south side now. Commonly seen on Grafton Street these days.

traprunner · 16-04-2015 08:25AM

I've been on a few nights out in Rathkeale and at a wedding there (not a traveller one). The place was much safer at night than most other towns I've been in. There is a distinct separation between the two communities for night life anyway. Both have their own pubs.

BlatentCheek · 16-04-2015 08:27AM

Interesting article in that it's basically a press release for some attempt by "prominent Rathkeale-based Traveller and businessman Richard Kerry O’Brien" to get more of taxpayers money for some dubious "community co-ordination".

Of course Mr O'Brien appears to place all the blame for Rathkeale's situation on settled people. Some excerpts:

"the town’s main hope was “if the two communities pull together"".

"He said he was “horrified” when he first arrived to work in Rathkeale some years ago by some of the treatment to which Travellers were subjected.""

"However, he also told the conference that, having travelled around much of the world, “I’ve never seen a more racist country” than Ireland".

"But while equality legislation outlawing discrimination was now on our statute books, “the question is how do we change our own hearts”".

No mention of the crime, intimidation, anti-social behaviour and blatant breaches of planning law carried out by Travellers; or how this drove from Rathkeale people whose families may have lived there for generations.

Instead the problem is presented merely as one where settled people's bigotry threatens the future of the town.

This nonsense does nothing to help Travellers, whose problems at this stage are largely due to their culture and lifestyle.

whisky_galore · 16-04-2015 08:29AM

In Exile wrote: »

You class this as a development? Have you been to Rathkeale? Or better yet, have you been to Rathkeale around Christmas time when large groups arrive back from overseas and do whatever they please?

I worked in Rathkeale for 3 years. I actually grew to really like the place by the time I left. There are a number of locals who made sure the place was well looked after. There are also a number of settled travellers who do the same.

However, over the last few years the travellers in Rathkeale have been buying up everything that goes up for sale. They are quite happy to pay an extra 25% on the asking price to make sure they get the sale. However, any business they buy then gets closed up and another boarded up building appears. The place has turned into a ghost town.

When I left there was not 1 business run by travellers in the town (I'm not talking about trades, more shop fronted places).

What will happen when the place is 100% traveller. Do you think people from the outside are going to come into the town and open businesses? Not a hope in hell. Whether it is the truth or a terrible stereotype, do you think outsiders would feel safe in a 100% traveller town? I wouldn't. Imagine trying (again using the stereotype) to secure premises and merchandise in a 100% traveller town overnight?

Whatever chance this town ever had of getting out of the hole its in, as far as I am concerned if now dead.

It's going to become little other than a dormitory town for those that live there (nominally) for most of the year and a 'holiday village' for those who come back at Christmas. Why bother integrating when you can just take a place over?

traprunner · 16-04-2015 08:32AM

BlatentCheek wrote: »

Interesting article in that it's basically a press release for some attempt by "prominent Rathkeale-based Traveller and businessman Richard Kerry O’Brien" to get more of taxpayers money for some dubious "community co-ordination".

Of course Mr O'Brien appears to place all the blame for Rathkeale's situation on settled people. Some excerpts:

"the town’s main hope was “if the two communities pull together"".

"He said he was “horrified” when he first arrived to work in Rathkeale some years ago by some of the treatment to which Travellers were subjected.""

"However, he also told the conference that, having travelled around much of the world, “I’ve never seen a more racist country” than Ireland".

"But while equality legislation outlawing discrimination was now on our statute books, “the question is how do we change our own hearts”".

No mention of the crime, intimidation, anti-social behaviour and blatant breaches of planning law carried out by Travellers; or how this drove from Rathkeale people whose families may have lived there for generations.

Instead the problem is presented merely as one where settled people's bigotry threatens the future of the town.

This nonsense does nothing to help Travellers, whose problems at this stage are largely due to their culture and lifestyle.

Yeah, I was just thinking that there was no mention of the forced house sales that have happened and are probably still happening.

16-04-2015 08:34AM

BlatentCheek wrote: »

No mention of the crime, intimidation, anti-social behaviour and blatant breaches of planning law carried out by Travellers; or how this drove from Rathkeale people whose families may have lived there for generations.

People were driven out by "blatant breaches of planning law"?

Strange. Why didn't they just stay and object?

Tell them don't come South to Kerry. Our hills are alive with beaches of the planning law.

zl1whqvjs75cdy · 16-04-2015 08:36AM

He really hasnt travelled very far if he thinks Ireland is one of the most racist country's in the world.

El_Duderino 09 · 16-04-2015 08:37AM

kstand wrote: »

But unfortunately you are dealing with what could in circles be described as a race of people who have their own way of life and have had it for centuries - and an extremely misogynistic one at that.
That's the first thing I would tackle. If the girls were able to go and get their Leaving Cert and then possibly study for 3rd Level and make lives for themselves then maybe the boys would follow suit. But you'd have a battle on your hands to achieve that.

Unfortunately I think you're right and I agree with you.

Education changes how people behave and what they expect from life. I think travellers have defined their culture and community in such a way that education would destroy their culture and disperse their community. In any culture, standard of living and education of women are correlated. As long as travellers insist on limiting 'their women's' education, they are destined to have below average life expectancy and quality of life.

16-04-2015 08:38AM

In Exile wrote: »

I However, over the last few years the travellers in Rathkeale have been buying up everything that goes up for sale. They are quite happy to pay an extra 25% on the asking price to make sure they get the sale.

25% more?

traprunner wrote: »

Yeah, I was just thinking that there was no mention of the forced house sales that have happened and are probably still happening.

Forced sales?

Someone is telling porkies. Because getting a premium seems to be the opposite of a forced sale.

traprunner · 16-04-2015 08:40AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Forced sales?

Someone is telling porkies. Because getting a premium seems to be the opposite of a forced sale.

Yes, two options...1. Sell to us, or; 2. We drive you out. The quantity of money offered which could be higher than the open market value doesn't come into it when people have lived in a family home for decades.

dricko_lim · 16-04-2015 09:00AM

traprunner wrote: »

I've been on a few nights out in Rathkeale and at a wedding there (not a traveller one). The place was much safer at night than most other towns I've been in. There is a distinct separation between the two communities for night life anyway. Both have their own pubs.

I live in Rathkeale and the talk of travellers taking over is bolox. Neither do they buy up everything. Theres plenty for sale in the town. I'm only living there a few years as my wife is from Rathkeale. They keep to themselves most the time. Christmas is mad when they arrive home but its still grand. Once you get used to them just driving up and down the town all day it makes no difference. I feel safer in Rathkeale than I do in most places and i'm quite happy to raise my daughter there!

Its got a bad name I admit but if you actually go there, there is a big population of locals who all know and look out for each other, no trouble and a great community spirit.

BlatentCheek · 16-04-2015 09:03AM

Deleted User wrote: »

People were driven out by "blatant breaches of planning law"?

Do you deny that ugly and dangerous buildings erected without planning permission make a place less desirable to live in?

Deleted User wrote: »

Strange. Why didn't they just stay and object?

I would speculate that they feared retribution from those whom they would object against and/or had little faith in the Council's enforcement of planning law against Travellers. Both would be well-founded fears.

Deleted User wrote: »

Tell them don't come South to Kerry. Our hills are alive with beaches of the planning law.

I agree that it's a problem everywhere but comparing Kerry to Rathkeale is ridiculous.

kneemos · 16-04-2015 09:12AM

dricko_lim wrote: »

I live in Rathkeale and the talk of travellers taking over is bolox. Neither do they buy up everything. Theres plenty for sale in the town. I'm only living there a few years as my wife is from Rathkeale. They keep to themselves most the time. Christmas is mad when they arrive home but its still grand. Once you get used to them just driving up and down the town all day it makes no difference. I feel safer in Rathkeale than I do in most places and i'm quite happy to raise my daughter there!

Its got a bad name I admit but if you actually go there, there is a big population of locals who all know and look out for each other, no trouble and a great community spirit.

Preconceptions will outweigh your reality I'm afraid.

Like a bout between Ali and Barry McGuigan.

Turtyturd · 16-04-2015 09:21AM

traprunner wrote: »

They have extended to the south side now. Commonly seen on Grafton Street these days.

Tara street is probably the worst place in town for them, but he has a hard on for North Dublin.

16-04-2015 09:27AM

BlatentCheek wrote: »

Do you deny that ugly and dangerous buildings erected without planning permission make a place less desirable to live in?

I would speculate that they feared retribution from those whom they would object against and/or had little faith in the Council's enforcement of planning law against Travellers. Both would be well-founded fears.

I agree that it's a problem everywhere but comparing Kerry to Rathkeale is ridiculous.

Here you go, someone who lives there and refers to such talk as "bolox".

dricko_lim wrote: »

I live in Rathkeale and the talk of travellers taking over is bolox. Neither do they buy up everything. Theres plenty for sale in the town. I'm only living there a few years as my wife is from Rathkeale. They keep to themselves most the time. Christmas is mad when they arrive home but its still grand. Once you get used to them just driving up and down the town all day it makes no difference. I feel safer in Rathkeale than I do in most places and i'm quite happy to raise my daughter there!

Its got a bad name I admit but if you actually go there, there is a big population of locals who all know and look out for each other, no trouble and a great community spirit.

BlatentCheek · 16-04-2015 09:37AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Here you go, someone who lives there and refers to such talk as "bolox".

Well if an anonymous internet man says it that's good enough for me.

Thanks for engaging with my points.

Desolation Of Smug · 16-04-2015 09:41AM

dricko_lim wrote: »

I live in Rathkeale and the talk of travellers taking over is bolox. Neither do they buy up everything. Theres plenty for sale in the town. I'm only living there a few years as my wife is from Rathkeale. They keep to themselves most the time. Christmas is mad when they arrive home but its still grand. Once you get used to them just driving up and down the town all day it makes no difference. I feel safer in Rathkeale than I do in most places and i'm quite happy to raise my daughter there!

Its got a bad name I admit but if you actually go there, there is a big population of locals who all know and look out for each other, no trouble and a great community spirit.

I was kinda waiting for a post like this - I worked down beside Rathkeale for a lot of last year and found the place to be grand. No trouble, no hassle and the place is kept looking pretty well.

smash · 16-04-2015 09:42AM

You know how the cities look when you watch the walking dead? That's how Rathkeale's gonna look...

galljga1 · 16-04-2015 09:45AM

I'm terrible partial to the periwinkle blue.

kneemos · 16-04-2015 09:45AM

smash wrote: »

You know how the cities look when you watch the walking dead? That's how Rathkeale's gonna look...

People who live there say it's grand .
I'll go with their opinions.

biko · 16-04-2015 09:48AM

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/a-tale-of-two-communities-in-rathkeale-we-live-in-the-same-space-but-different-worlds-1.1863276

One town, two worlds

The settled people of Rathkeale often wish the town’s Travellers would disappear – and the feeling seems to be mutual

It’s said the tension between settled people and Travellers in the small Limerick town of Rathkeale can be traced to a riot in the 1960s. The story differs depending who tells it.
“Some Travellers beat up an old settled man and so [settled people] went to burn them out,” says a young man in Kathleen’s Bar. “The army were called in. After that the Travellers vowed to buy up the town.”

Policies built on the assumption that Travellers are a disadvantaged minority don’t always work where they’re not a minority and not necessarily disadvantaged.
It often seems like neither community has much to offer the other beyond real estate deals. “There is no model for this,” says Breen. “We’re writing the book as we go.”

kstand · 16-04-2015 09:49AM

smoothie_mixer wrote: »

no surprise there

rationalising and excusing behaviour which would be condemned from on high if it stemmed from mainstream society ( sexism , homophobia etc ) , is regulary forgiven when it originates from minoritys

excusing negative traits amongst minority cultures is one of the key tenents of political correctness

It is the ultimate hypocrisy in my opinion, especially when the same people are willing to throw the word "bigot" or "racist" into their argument so as to completely devalue and demonize their opponents.
You cannot have rational debate about these things unless all factors are taken into account - this (misogyny in this instance) being one of them.

kstand · 16-04-2015 10:01AM

smoothie_mixer wrote: »

in this sense political correctness is really a faith , a creed if you will

facts must be ignored and huge amounts of double standards must be applied

hence why feminists will rarely ever speak out loudly about FGM amongst islamic communities

germaine greer refused to lend her voice - name to an anti FGM innitiative a few years ago , her reply

" it would demonise islam "

The ultimate hypocrisy - to my mind has to be the worst of all that is wrong.
Feminists defending Islam.

token101 · 16-04-2015 10:17AM

Eh, this is a bit awkward!

smash · 16-04-2015 10:25AM

token101 wrote: »

Eh, this is a bit awkward!

How much?

token101 · 16-04-2015 10:28AM

smash wrote: »

How much?

I would say quite. It's quite awkward. Some serious questions need to be asked of your advertising providers!

humanji · 16-04-2015 10:35AM

I think it's google ads, so Boards don't actually have any say on what's shown. It just sees what's on the page and tries to put forward ads that relate to the topic.

Generic Dreadhead · 16-04-2015 10:39AM

Mmmmmmmm sweet delicious weekly AH Traveller bashing thread

Sure it's all been said before.
Would I ever visit/work in/pass through Rathkeale? No. Why would I?
Plently other places in this wide world to visit that aren't essentially District 13 but without the policing

smash · 16-04-2015 10:41AM

token101 wrote: »

I would say quite. It's quite awkward. Some serious questions need to be asked of your advertising providers!

No, I meant how much for the service...

Maguined · 16-04-2015 10:44AM

kstand wrote: »

It is the ultimate hypocrisy in my opinion, especially when the same people are willing to throw the word "bigot" or "racist" into their argument so as to completely devalue and demonize their opponents.
You cannot have rational debate about these things unless all factors are taken into account - this (misogyny in this instance) being one of them.

It reminds me of the Dale Farm evictions in the UK. Travellers were ordered to be evicted from the area as they had illegally built upon the land without planning permission. Protestors came down to fortify the area to prevent evictions and were extreme left defending the poor minority from the oppressive laws of the land. After a couple of days of camping many of the protestors left after realising the poor minority they were protecting were destroying the enviroment with tire fires, abused their animals, opposed their children being educated and were horrible to the women in their society.

Everything the extreme left protestors reviled was the actual culture of those they were defending from the law.

Rathkeale to become "100% traveller" community worker warns

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