Clinic
The TEJP Clinic closed on February 8th 2024.
The TEJP Clinic which was established under a European Union Rights Equality & Citizenship Award 2021-2023 was the only operational Traveller-specific legal clinic in Munster. Established to respond to proliferating levels of discrimination experienced by Travellers, the TEJP Clinic was overwhelmed with referrals during the 14months we were open for case referrals. During this time we received 97 referrals from Traveller Community Partners and individual Travellers. These were triaged by the TEJP into 78 valid legal complaints.
Of these, 40 concerned discrimination arising under the Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 and were heard before the WRC. The remaining 38 were s.19 Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 cases which were heard before the District Court.
Despite a clear demand and need for our dedicated Traveller legal clinic, we made the decision to close to new referrals in February 2024 and to close the Clinic fully in September 2024. This was a difficult decision, but ultimate reflects the realities facing those working within the social-justice and pro-bono space. Despite the significant challenges of working within this space, the TEJP is grateful for the support of our partners FLAC, and additionally our working relationships with the IHREC Legal Unit, Community Law & Mediation and the Legal Aid Board, Traveller Minceir Legal Unit.
We hope to revisit this matter, once adequate and sustainable funding is secured.
During this time our emails and phone line will not be monitored as staff prioritise our existing ongoing cases
Alternate Resources
We recommend that you contact your local Traveller Community Project as they may have local resources that be best able to help your specific situation.
You can see a country-wide list of Traveller organisations here: https://www.paveepoint.ie/traveller-organisations/
Family
www.familylawinformation.ie is a UCC run website that provides a central source of information related to family relationships and a comprehensive online source of all aspects of Irish family law.
The Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) can provide legal information over the phone:
https://www.flac.ie/help/centres/
FLAC also have some family law specific clinics: https://www.flac.ie/help/centres/familylaw/
The Legal Aid Board can provide free family mediation:
https://www.legalaidboard.ie/en/our-services/family-mediation/
They also provide legal aid services if you qualify: https://www.legalaidboard.ie/en/our-services/legal-aid-services/
Exchange House Ireland can provide family support and crisis intervention services: https://exchangehouse.ie/services.php
Accommodation
Threshold can provide advice around renting and accommodation: https://www.threshold.ie/advice/
Mercy Law Resource Centre provides free legal representation to some individual clients on homelessness, social housing and related social welfare matters: https://mercylaw.ie/what-we-do/free-legal-representation/
FLAC can provide legal information over the phone:
https://www.flac.ie/help/centres/
Exchange House Ireland can provide support: https://exchangehouse.ie/services.php
Irish Traveller Movement can provide information: https://itmtrav.ie/contact-irish-traveller-movement/
Ballymun Community Law Centre can provide support (limited to Dublin): https://www.bclc.ie/
Community Law and Mediation may advise on housing law: https://communitylawandmediation.ie/services/legal/
Citizen’s Information also provide information on your rights as a private tenant/local authority licensee or tenant
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/
Domestic Abuse
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, there is support available to you. The below organisations have helplines and can provide support:
https://www.safeireland.ie/get-help/
This leaflet from Pavee Point also explains the supports available: https://www.paveepoint.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Pavee-Point-Barring-and-Safety-Orders-leaflet-and-comic-WEB.pdf
Exchange House Ireland can also provide support: https://exchangehouse.ie/services.php
Criminal
Criminal matters concern the prosecution of criminal offences.
Criminal legal aid is granted by the Courts: https://www.legalaidboard.ie/en/our-services/differences-between-criminal-and-civil-legal-aid/#whatislegalaid
FLAC can provide legal information over the phone, via their helpline:
https://www.flac.ie/help/centres/
If you’ve been a victim of a crime, the following places support victims:
https://www.crimevictimshelpline.ie/
https://www.iprt.ie/victims-support/
If you are a Traveller and have experience with the police and courts in Ireland, the University of Limerick is running a project where they want to hear from Travellers about these experiences, you can see more about that here: Ul.ie/ecsh/itaj
Civil (Personal Injuries, Contract Disputes, etc.)
Civil matters concern disputes between you and another person, or between you and an organisation (rather than a crime or involving the police).
Legal Aid Board provides Civil Legal aid, but only in limited circumstances, and only if you meet a means test: https://www.flac.ie/assets/files/pdf/civil_legal_aid_flacsheet_abridged.pdf?issuusl=ignore
FLAC can provide legal information over the phone, via their helpline:
https://www.flac.ie/help/centres/
Community Law and Mediation also offers some mediation services: https://communitylawandmediation.ie/services/mediation-ireland/mediation-services/
Employment
FLAC provides some employment law specific clinics: https://www.flac.ie/help/centres/employmentlaw/ or they can provide legal information over the phone: https://www.flac.ie/help/centres/
The Legal Aid Board can help in some employment matters, but cannot provide representation in relation to internal disciplinary or external workplace relations hearings: https://www.legalaidboard.ie/en/our-services/legal-aid-services/common-legal-problems/employment/
Community Law and Mediation can help with some employment law issues: https://communitylawandmediation.ie/services/legal/
Citizens Information can also provide information:
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/