Mincéir/Traveller Legal Support Service

The Legal Aid Board Mincéir/Traveller Legal Support Service provides specific legal services to Travellers in certain areas of law, such as equality law (discrimination cases) and housing law (access to social housing ; defence in limited circumstances in eviction proceedings).

We can provide legal advice and legal aid in the areas of discrimination, private rental issues and equality, equity, housing, nuisance, tort, ejectment proceedings and enforcement of Court Orders in our specialised Law Centre in Dublin (Ballymun). However you can also contact your local Law Centre for more information. 

We must undertake a means test of your financial circumstances to see if you qualify for our services. If you need to go to court, we will look at the merits of the case before we can authorise a solicitor or barrister to represent you in court.

We Can Provide

1. Legal advice: Clear, confidential guidance  to help you understand your rights, the process and what to expect at each stage.
2. Legal representation: Professional support from our solicitors and barristers to represent you in court.

Areas Covered

• Travellers experiencing discrimination may seek legal advice and representation in cases related to discrimination in accessing licensed premises or clubs under Section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, subject to provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (as amended) and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 – 2021. While legal representation is not available before the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), legal advice can be provided by the Legal Aid Board to Travellers on the proofs in a case before the WRC or on the outcome of the WRC hearing in discrimination cases arising under the Equal Status Acts 2000 – 2018.
• While disputes in respect of rights and interests in and over land or property are not generally within the remit of the Legal Aid Board, subject to limited exceptions, legal advice is available for Travellers dealing with accommodation issues, such as Travellers at risk of eviction from County Council property, in situation of homelessness and in respect of applications for social housing, subject to provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (as amended) and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 - 2021. In certain limited circumstances legal aid for representation in court proceedings relating to these matters may be available.
• Travellers experiencing difficulties in private rented accommodation can apply for legal advice regarding issues with their tenancies, notwithstanding that the issues may involve an application to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). While legal representation is not available before the RTB, advice can be provided by the Legal Aid Board on those proceedings.

Additionally, the Legal Aid Board Mincéir/Traveller Legal Support Service can provide legal advice and representation in relation to other matters coming within the scope of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (as amended) including Equality, Equity, Housing, Nuisance, Tort, Ejectment Proceedings and Enforcement of Court Orders.

The Mincéir/Traveller Legal Support Service does not provide legal advice and representation in Family Law matters involving Travellers. Members of the Traveller community who wish to apply for legal advice and representation in Family Law matters should apply in their local Law Centre of the Legal Aid Board.

Client Testimonial

“My wife & my I were facing discrimination in a pub that we have never been in. The Legal Aid Board told us what we could do and what were the possible outcomes of bringing a case to the District Court.

It has impacted our life knowing that there is a way to make things right when faced with discrimination. I believe with services like the Mincéir/Traveller Legal Support, it is shaping a better, more inclusive future for my own kids and the whole traveller community."