The Mayo Travellers Support Group (MTSG) has said it is no surprise that tensions between Travellers and publicans in Co Mayo "are at an all-time high."
It was commenting following incidents on Sunday night when Travellers broke glasses and windows in Paddy and Bridie O'Neill's pub in Ballymiles, Swinford. The MTSG has expressed its sympathy to the pub owners
However, Mr Gearóid Ó Riain of the MTSG said it was the leaders of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, who "in a calculated way last year stirred up those tensions when, for their own political aims, they manufactured a 'riot' in Westport". They had imposed a blanket ban on Travellers and spoke of "declaring war" on them.
"Acts of violence are happening every day. If Travellers are involved or suspected of being involved it takes on some intangible, almost primal, extra meaning and importance."
He said they were shocked Sunday's incident got such high profile media coverage. Mr Ó Riain added that the trauma caused to Mr O'Neill and his family, and the damage to their property, was dreadful. "We expressed our sympathy directly to Mr O'Neill on Tuesday when we visited the pub. We are repulsed in our common humanity at this crime and all criminal violations of other people's rights. Regardless of who the perpetrators were, we would respond in this way.
"We call on the gardaí to fully investigate all that led up to this particular incident. We heard reports that a group of Traveller pilgrims/visitors from England were visiting the area over the weekend and were meeting closed doors at grocery shops, pubs and wherever they went.
"Gardaí were being called to pubs where no incidents had taken place, simply because of their presence. We consider this to be an intense form of provocation and heightening of tension.
"It is no surprise to us that tensions between Travellers and publicans in Mayo are at an all-time high."