From Donegal Now
A Donegal County Councillor has controversially claimed that Traveller families should be housed in isolated communities.
Speaking on Ocean FM today Cllr Sean McEniff was reacting to developments at an Electoral Area meeting where it was revealed that the council was planning to buy a ‘luxury home’ at a cost of over €230,000 for a one-off social housing premises outside of Ballyshannon.
It is believed the premises is being bought to house a Traveller family of 13.
Cllr McEniff said – “It’s a damn disgrace that the council can pay that sort of money to house those people. They’ll eventually wreck the house.”
He went on to compare the financial resources of travelling and settled families.
“I’m quite certain those people will be able to fill their tanks with oil because they get so many benefits from the state. It’s unbelievable.”
When asked by radio host Niall Delaney how he could presume they’ll “wreck” the house, the councillor replied – “it’s only par for the course”.
It's understood the large detached house in question is located at Parkhill just outside of Ballyshannon town.
Cllr McEniff said the travelling community in the area were “bad eggs”.
“You wouldn’t want them beside you and I don’t want them beside me.”
He denied he was racist or bigoted, simply saying he was “speaking facts”. He also expressed his opinion that Travellers should be housed separately, saying “there should be an isolated community of them somewhere”.
“I’m calling as it is, because I represent the people,” he added.
see also: Highland Radio - Mc Eniff denies bigotry after saying Travellers should live “in isolation”
Joe.ie - Donegal councillor Sean McEniff says Travellers should be an 'isolated community'
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