The Law Society of Ireland has reiterated a call on the State to reinstate the Irish Traveller Movement Independent Law Centre, which ceased in 2014.

In a statement issued on UN International Human Rights Day (10 December), the Society said that the return of the centre would “reduce inequality and advance human rights for the Traveller community”.

The organisation has made this call several times in the past – most recently in a submission to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on Ireland’s Third National Report to the UN Universal Periodic Review 2021.

‘Unmet legal need’

Gary Lee (chair of the Law Society’s Human Rights and Equality Committee, pictured) said that there was a “serious unmet legal need within the Traveller community, in relation to the provision of legal advice and representation on matters particular to Travellers”.

“The failure of the State to resource an independent law centre specifically to meet the unique needs of the Traveller community makes it far more difficult for Travellers to access justice,” he explained.

“You can have a plethora of legal rights, but this is no good if you don’t know about your rights, and if you don’t have expert legal advice in relation to those rights,” Lee added.

As well as reinstating the centre, he also urged the Government to support its sustainability with the necessary funding, to provide “adequate and appropriate” legal services.