The traditional Christmas return from Britain of members of the Travelling community to Rathkeale, Co Limerick threatens a significant increase in Covid-19 cases in the town, leading Travellers’ group, Pavee Point, has warned. Every December the town’s 1,700 population effectively doubles to 3,000 with members of the Travelling community arriving to visit relatives; but, often, to hold weddings and other gatherings. Agreeing with Pavee Point’s advice that people should not travel, Mr Collins said: “At this stage we are probably gone past that point. I don’t know if they are members of the Travelling community or not, but they can certainly be categorised as people who have returned to Rathkeale for the Christmas period,” the TD added. However, David Lamont, public relations officer of the Rathkeale Community Council, said Rathkeale was being unfairly singled out.

Source: The Irish Times December 29, 2020 00:56 UTC