RESIDENTS in Convoy have vowed to prevent Traveller families with up to 18 caravans occupying a site in the town.
The Green Fields site – about an acre in size – has been the subject of several stand-offs since last Friday, as reported first here on Donegal Daily.
Gardai moved in last night to keep the peace and they were on duty again this morning as three caravans attempted to enter the site.
This is despite bollards erected by Donegal County Council.
The council has also issued tree preservation orders after it was claimed that a man in a caravan had vowed to chop down 200-year-old trees last week.
No offences have been detected – it’s only if the caravans form a site that council bye-laws will be broken.
Revenue officers are also taking an interest in the incident as all the cars towing the caravans over the past four days are northern-registered.
“This is not an appropriate or official site and this cannot be allowed to go ahead,” said one local mother.
“They won’t get in.”
Cllr Patrick McGowan has been working on residents’ behalf over the past five days.
The Traveller families claim they own the site; however this is disputed.
“They’ve already made a roadway which is unauthorised and the council have issued a warning,” said Cllr McGowan.
“Local people have been threatened.”
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