It has been reported that an Irish traveler who is claiming 'homelessness' is the mastermind behind a multi-euro housing development in Ireland.

According to the Daily Mail, a builder living on Europe's largest illegal traveler site is secretly backing the lavish 33-home property development in Ireland.

Michael Quilligan, the son of a traveler worth £24million, is among the 96 families who claim they will be made homeless when they are removed from Dale Farm in Essex.

Planning records have revealed that Mr Quilligan is behind the housing development in Rathkeale in Limerick.

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The paper goes on to report that the large detached and semi-detached houses - worth up to £400,000 - are close to completion and are near to the local equivalent of millionaires' row, where other substantial gated properties can be found. Mr Quilligan is thought to have sold some of the properties to other travelers.

Mr Quilligan runs a business called Michael Quilligan Contractor and his father, the wealthiest Rathkeale’s traveler, is an antiques dealer.

The Dale Farm site was brought to planners’ attentions nearly ten years ago when illegal sites started to appear on the site. It is understood that a 400-strong community of travelers now live on the site, which has now got roads and electricity.

In a High Court battle the council were favoured and can now evict the travelers. Bailiffs and police are planning to start removing travelers next week.

(LB/GK)