A court order instructing Wendy Murphy to remove her caravan from a halting site in Skibbereen has been granted.

Cork County Council applied for the order and Judge Sineád Behan granted it at a court sitting in Cork last week.

The order was made on the same morning that Wendy (27) was admitted by ambulance to hospital after being treated by a doctor for chest pains.

She was kept in hospital overnight and placed on medication to deal with breathlessness, a heart condition and stress.

After receiving the court order via email on Thursday morning, Wendy signed herself out of hospital, against medical advice, and returned to The Marsh Road halting site.

She said she is effectively standing guard in case the local authority physically removes the second-hand caravan that was placed on the site ten days earlier.

The caravan was purchased with €1,000 raised via her GoFundMe appeal, plus a €750 donation made by James Delaney of Kildare Caravans who learned about Wendy’s situation after seeing her video interview online.

James said he felt compelled to help her because the €200 caravan that Wendy, and her 11-year-old daughter Helena, had been living in was leaking, covered in mould, and the floor was threatening to give way.

By contrast the new caravan has heating, running water and cooking facilities, and a small separate bedroom for Helena that is decorated in pink.

Both Wendy and Helena, who has autism, ADHD and asthma, said they love the new caravan and are no longer seeking emergency accommodation from Cork County Council because it meets their immediate housing needs.

James Delaney’s reaction to the news that the mother and daughter were happy with the new purchase was to say: ‘Thank God.’

But when he learned that they have been instructed to leave the halting site within seven days he asked: ‘Where are they supposed to go?

‘Our Government doesn’t help our own, it’s as simple as that,’ he added.

‘People should open their eyes and try to help others. I don’t have a lot but I’d give half my heart, if I could, if I thought someone could benefit from it.’

On March 8th, Cork County Council wrote to Wendy referring to her assessment for emergency accommodation ‘which took place on 07/06/2026’.

That letter said the council would provide her with emergency accommodation at the Fernbrook Family Hub at the Western Road in Clonakilty from May 11th.

Wendy said she declined a room in the hub because she wanted an opportunity to present her case in court in Cork on May 13th.

She said she was also told that dogs were not welcome and she should ‘give away’ Helena’s dog, Tiny, despite the fact that he has been her support animal since she was three years old.

Wendy also produced a detailed two-page letter from St Joseph’s National School explaining all of the supports that Helena needs, and is currently receiving, at her school in Skibbereen.

The Southern Star contacted Cork County Council to request a comment but it is understood that the local authority cannot comment on individual cases.

On Tuesday afternoon, Wendy said she believes that the halting site in Skibbereen is suitable for her because she is a member of the Travelling Community.

She pointed out that generations of her family, the O’Driscolls, have lived on the site, including her uncle who is living in a housing unit at the rear of the property.

‘I am bothering nobody here,’ she concluded. ‘I’m happy right now in the caravan I have. I’m just looking to stay where I am.’