‘Sad day’ as liquidator appointed to Southside Travellers Action Group

A liquidator has been appointed to the Southside Travellers Action Group (Stag), marking the end of one of the longest-standing Traveller charities in Ireland. The decision came after months of internal conflict and financial scrutiny, with former staff describing the creditors' meeting as emotional and contentious. Gavin Lyons, a former financial controller of the organisation, expressed deep disappointment, calling the moment a “sad, sad day” for the Traveller community. The Southside Travellers Action Group was established in 1984 by the late Sister Colette Dwyer, a revered figure in Traveller rights advocacy. Based in Sandyford, south Dublin, the organisation served as a vital resource for Traveller families, offering housing, education, employment opportunities, primary healthcare, and support for women. Its mission was deeply rooted in the community, with members actively involved in its governance and operations for decades. The collapse of Stag followed a series of disputes between its Traveller-led staff and the board, led by chairwoman Barbara Scanlon based in Northern Ireland. These tensions escalated as allegations of financial mismanagement emerged, prompting the charity’s statutory funders to halt support. According to Lyons, the Department of Children, one of Stag’s primary funders, stopped providing funding from January 2026 due to concerns over unvouched expenditures and other irregularities. An independent financial review, initially commissioned by the funders, was abandoned following the announcement of the voluntary liquidation in early March. Lyons, who chaired the creditors’ meeting, stated that the board had been obstructed in fulfilling its responsibilities, despite his efforts to address the situation. He emphasized that the charity’s statutory funders had not fulfilled their obligations, leaving former staff without adequate compensation or clarity on the future of the organization. “It’s no good funders saying funds were forthcoming. That doesn’t pay wages,” he said, highlighting the frustration of those directly affected. Geraldine Dunne, a former manager at Stag, echoed these sentiments. She noted that the meeting sparked intense emotions among former staff, particularly regarding unpaid wages and unresolved concerns about board accountability. “That made many very angry,” she said. Dunne also expressed hope that the physical space once occupied by Stag might still serve the community, potentially as a hub for a new organization. The property, secured by Dwyer in 1982 under a 250-year lease, remains a symbol of the group's legacy. The liquidation of Stag represents more than just the loss of a charitable entity, it signals a broader crisis within the Traveller community, where systemic challenges persist. Many feel that the state has failed to adequately support such organizations, leading to a sense of abandonment. As the dust settles on this chapter, the question remains: how can the Traveller community rebuild and sustain similar initiatives in the future? For now, the focus remains on the immediate aftermath, with former staff left to grapple with the consequences of a decision that has irrevocably changed their lives.