New Laois forum for gardaí and Travellers
Portlaoise Garda Superintendent Brian Farrell with members of the Community Policing team and LTAG at the launch of the new forum
A NEW forum has been launched to help foster trust and cooperation between gardaí and the Traveller community in Laois.
The Laois Traveller Action Group (LTAG) and Community Policing Focus Group was formally launched at the Parish Centre in Portlaoise on 24 November.
Portlaoise Garda Superintendent Brian Farrell attended the launch, together with members of the local Community Policing team and LTAG members Brian Byrne, Jules Fitzpatrick, Ann Coleman, Mary Harty, Noreen Donoghue and Marie Donoghue.
Following the launch, gardaí said: ‘This forum is established to foster trust, mutual understanding and cooperation between the Traveller community, represented by LTAG and An Garda Síochána in Portlaoise.
‘The initiative stems from a shared commitment to improving community relations, promoting equality and addressing local concerns constructively.’
LTAG was set up nearly 30 years ago as a community development project, under the name Laois Traveller Views. After small beginnings in 1996, it has gone on to become a very active organisation that ‘represents, promotes, supports and empowers’ Travellers.
The main focus of LTAG is to achieve equality, better living conditions, better health and education for Travellers and recognition of Traveller culture and ethnicity. Based in Bridge Street, Portlaoise, the group can be contacted at 057 8682210 and has a full list of local services on thecompass.ie website.
