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Wedding marquee at halting site dismantled by Gardai

Jonathan Duane
Jonathan Duane

07:28 13 May 2021


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Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council secured a court order to dismantle the tent.

A Traveller advocacy group says it's "unacceptable" a "small minority" of the community are choosing to go against public health advice.

It comes after Gardai dismantled a marquee at a halting site in south Dublin.

The structure, which could cater for up to 60 people, would have breached Covid-19 rules.

After learning about the reception plans, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council secured a court order to dismantle the tent.

Speaking in Dublin Civil Court, the groom's father Mr Connors told the judge;

“I know I’m breaching my tenancy but it is my son’s wedding and he has no other place to go.”

Michael and Johanna Connors got married in Armagh, before returning to Dublin via limousine.

Source: Twitter (@john_kilraine) 

At least 20 Garda vehicles — including the public order unit, squad cars and traffic gardai — ensured the event did not go ahead as planned.

Pavee Point co-director, Martin Collins has called on all members of the Travelling community not to organise or get involved with such events saying;

"People can’t plead ignorance anymore. Everybody knows the rules and regulations from Nphet and the HSE that large gatherings at this time is not acceptable."

"It’s highly dangerous and can be a super-spreader for Covid-19. All I can do is advise and plead with my community not to get involved or organise large gatherings – it’s highly dangerous and they are effectively playing Russian roulette with their lives", he added.

It's the second such incident in a week, with 120 guests attending a post-wedding gathering in Longford last Wednesday.


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