Elderly traveller Mary Flynn, 72, is "too frail" to be evicted from Britain's largest illegal travellers' site at Dale Farm in Essex, an appeal court judge has heard.
Flynn suffers from breathing problems. She is described as a crucial player in the travellers' bid to halt the eviction, which was to be carried out by Basildon Council today.
Her counsel Stephen Cottle today told the judge that her condition is deteriorating and it would be "disproportionate" to evict her.
Clashes expected over Dale Farm travellers eviction
Essex travellers Dale Farm eviction date set
Meanwhile, travellers at the site continue to barricade themselves behind brick walls and barbed wire in protest against the eviction.
Enforcement officers visited the site this afternoon to appeal to the travellers to leave in the interests of health and safety.
Travellers and activists have erected banners around the site painted with slogans such as "No Ethnic Cleansing" and "Human Rights for Dale Farm".
According to Sky News, the travellers have now won a temporary injunction that prevents Basildon Council from clearing away any structures at the site.
