Traveller family banned from Hackney

Ordered to quit: the McDonagh Traveller family on Stoke Newington Common. Photograph: Josh Loeb

A Traveller family who established an encampment on Stoke Newington Common have been forced to move their caravans and mobile homes after Hackney Council took them to the High Court.

Judges granted the Town Hall a temporary injunction prohibiting the McDonagh family from pitching structures intended for habitation in any of the boroughs 58 parks and open spaces.

The council had been criticised by civil rights groups that work with Gypsies, Roma people and Travellers, who said there was a shortage of official pitches where the family could live.

Yvonne MacNamara, director of the East London-based Irish Traveller Movement, said the council should create more such sites.

Cllr Sophie Linden, Cabinet Member for Crime, Sustainability and Customer Services, said: “Hackney’s parks and open spaces are for all residents and visitors to use and enjoy and we take a firm stance against any unauthorised encampments.

“We have taken this action as a last resort because the group concerned have persistently set up unauthorised encampments on Hackney’s parks and open spaces over the past three years. This has caused significant disruption and expense to residents and to the council. We expect this group to leave Stoke Newington Common by the end of June.”

The council said the McDonagh family had previously set up unauthorised encampments at St Theresa’s Close, Mabley Green and Millfields Park.

The injunction is temporary and will remain in place until the case has been listed for a full trial, which is expected to take place later this year.

As of midday yesterday (Friday) the caravans were still parked on Stoke Newington Common.