It’s said the tension between settled people and Travellers in the small Limerick town of Rathkeale can be traced to a riot in the 1960s. All are serving customers and simply advise people to call before visiting.". On 13 April 2012 the gang broke into the Fitzwilliam Museum while it was closed, stealing 18 jade objects valued at between £15m and £40m, none of which have been recovered and with most probably having ended up in China. It is 30 km (18 mi) southwest of Limerick city on the N21 road to Tralee, Co Kerry, and lies on the River Deel. 14 men were later convicted for their roles in the thefts. Just two out of 18 men appeared before New Ross District Court last week to face charges relating to disturbances, and bench warrants were issued for the arrest of the others. Investigators worked with South African police and Europol. They have called us racist, but we lived happily with English Travellers for 40 years until the Irish ones forced them out. This website uses cookies in accordance with our. It is 30 km (18 mi) southwest of Limerick city on the N21 road to Tralee, Co Kerry, and lies on the River Deel. “The people who are disregarding the public health advice will force the lockdown of the entire community unless the situation improves,” he warned. The concern is heightened by the fact that adults and children are congregating in groups and not complying with the physical distancing guidelines. Fianna Fail TD Niall Collins is also concerned about the situation and has warned that a lock-down in Rathkeale is inevitable unless the situation improves. In sentencing James Scannel, Daniel O'Brien, Danny Flynn and Richard O'Brien, the Belgian judge said the four were part of a larger group of 150 Travellers who were "not afraid to use violence and intimidation to force truck drivers to carry large amounts of tobacco to the UK". The story differs depending who tells it. Forty-five per cent of the town's population now class themselves as Travellers. Rathkeale is an inclusive, progressive and principled community enhanced by the Travellers who live here and visit at Christmas. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It is thought the majority of Rathkeale’s some 1,500 residents are from the Travelling community. ... Holiday Rentals Rathkeale Holiday Packages Flights to Rathkeale Restaurants near Rathkeale Rathkeale Attractions Rathkeale Travel Forum Rathkeale Photos Rathkeale Map Rathkeale Guide. A survey gave people the opportunity to express their opinion about how the now closed convent facility might be used for the benefit of the community in Rathkeale, Co. Find the Best Rathkeale and nearby villas and apartments to rent. Hotels. The survey closed on Sunday 27th September 2020 with 160 responses. A spokesman for the Rathkeale Community Council said in a statement that many of the Rathkeale Traveller community have returned to the town. Rathkeale House Hotel Rathkeale, Limerick. Rathkeale railway station opened on 1 January 1867, closed for passenger traffic on 4 February 1963 and finally closed altogether on 2 December 1974. Eggs and stones were thrown at locals, but the Travellers claimed they were being discriminated against. It contains a display of art objects and holds historical records and is one of a series of significant Desmond properties in County Limerick (see also Adare, Askeaton and Newcastle West). Gardai were called and the group moved on. World's best referee makes terrible decision in Limerick! A window of the pub was broken. The group of around 400 Travellers originate from Rathkeale in Co Limerick, which has become well-known as the "Traveller capital of Ireland". June 2019 by the Rathkeale Community Council. "The community council has also published a list of priority telephone numbers for the housebound and vulnerable at rathkeale.com/covid-19 and a printed list is being distributed by EuroSpar," he said. [3], The European Union's law enforcement agency, Europol, set up Operation Oakleaf in 2011 at the request of the Garda Síochána (Irish Police), in order to gather intelligence on the group. What can the barmen do? Gardai say the scam involved €360,000 worth of vintage cars and targeted mainly elderly people Sofas and armchairs were found floating in the river after the group departed from Wexford last week and abandoned furniture had to be removed after their departure from Waterford. "They are involved in a property scam here and have promised pitch battles if they are stopped." plummeted by 55 per cent on the same period last year. For one group of 400 Travellers, anti-social behaviour seems the order of the day, says Lara Bradley. There was, she added, an increased emphasis on high visibility policing throughout the Newcastle West Garda District. They aren't big town pubs with security men. [2] Their name comes from their links with the town of Rathkeale in Ireland, which has been described as their "base". Last week, angry residents launched a website www.middleenglandinrevolt.co.uk to provide support to other communities across the UK feeling under siege and intimidated from the Travelling community. These families came from Rheinland-Pfalz, the Rhineland Palatinate in Germany as refugees in 1709. They set up temporary depots wherever they make their camp and delivery lorries follow them around. “The town is swelling like it does at Christmas,” one resident has said who raised what he felt were the safety implications. [3] The Great Southern Trail an off-road trail for cyclists and walkers is a greenway rail trail which follows the route of the former Limerick-Tralee railway line between Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale. This led to 30 arrests in eight countries for money laundering, drug trafficking and organised robbery worldwide. Attempted thefts at Norwich Castle Museum and Gorringes auction house in Lewes were thwarted by visitors. By 11pm a fight involving pool cues and broken glasses had broken out outside the bar between the visiting and settled travellers. 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They are traders and they give ordinary Travellers a bad name. Rathkeale railway station opened on 1 January 1867, closed for passenger traffic on 4 February 1963 and finally closed altogether on 2 December 1974. An hotel opposite the encampment was forced to close that evening, holidaymakers in a nearby official campsite checked out, and the municipal swimming pool had to shut its doors after being deluged by Travellers wanting to use their shower facilities. Page content is temporarily maintained by David Lamont of the Rathkeale Community Council. We want them to explain that to us.". The town has a large Roman Catholic parish church, Augustinian Abbey ruins and a Church of Ireland church, Holy Trinity. They shout at staff in shops, block the traffic and allow 14-year-olds to drive big vans at high speeds. Rathkeale Tourism: Tripadvisor has 209 reviews of Rathkeale Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Rathkeale resource. Many of their descendants now live in North America,[2] though the region around Castle Matrix in the villages of Killeheen, Ballingrane, and Courtmatrix contains the largest concentration of Palatine descendants in Ireland. Invited only. Rathkeale has a significant Irish Traveller population, and the largest concentration of descendants of the German Palatines who immigrated to Ireland in the early 18th century. Many of their descendants now live in North America,[2] though the region around Castle Matrix in the villages of Killeheen, Ballingrane, and Courtmatrix contains the largest concentration of Palatine descendants in Ireland.