UP to 20 Traveller families are trying to claim squatter's rights to Dunsink Lane in West Dublin after a squatter was paid more than €1m to move off the public land.
Traveller David Joyce received a record payout of €1.1m from Fingal County Council to move off the land where he has squatted for the past 20 years, it was revealed last week. Now other Travellers who have squatted on the land for more than 20 years have initiated legal action against the council claiming their entitlements due to "adverse possession" of the land previously bought by the council under a compulsory purchase order.
A council spokesman last week confirmed that the Joyce case has opened up the floodgates for similar claims. "While the examination of the these claims has not been completed, there does appear to be significant duplication of claims," he said.
The council has tried to encourage Travellers to leave the area by offering them alternative housing as well as land and other forms of compensation.
Allison Bray
Irish Independent
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