Loutish behaviour by large groups of Travellers, combined with widespread illegal parking, marred the 2003 Novena ceremonies at Knock Shrine, Co Mayo, local community leaders have claimed.
In the wake of the 10-day annual religious ceremonies, which attracted an estimated 100,000 pilgrims this year, the Knock Area Development Association (KADA) has called on Mayo County Council and other relevant authorities to ensure that "impious" scenes witnessed at the shrine, particularly on August 15th, are never repeated.
Mr Seamus Conboy, chairman of KADA, said the numbers of Travellers attending the annual Novena were up by at least 25 per cent on last year, and illegally parked convoys caused a parking nightmare.
Mr Conboy complained over the weekend about groups of young Travellers who "went up and down the streets in vans with music blaring" during the ceremonies.
"The vast majority of Travellers who came here were well behaved, but a minority caused the problems," Mr Conboy stated.
"There were groups of males and females going around acting in a loutish manner. Ordinary pilgrims felt intimidated. I even witnessed Travellers urinating on the street."
Apart from parking, there were complaints about groups of scantily clad young women.
Mr Conboy stated: "Traditionally, Knock has a prayerful, peaceful atmosphere, but this was a total intrusion.
"As well, some of the dress code was certainly not in keeping with a Marian shrine."
KADA is to hold an urgent meeting in the aftermath of the 2003 Novena, with particular emphasis on the indiscriminate parking of caravans.
This arose after different convoys of Travellers failed to get into the main car-parks.
The result was widespread indiscriminate parking, particularly on the Kiltimagh road.
Footpaths were inaccessible, and some local people complained that they were unable to get into their homes because the entrances to them had been blocked by motor vehicles and caravans.
Litter left in the wake of the vehicles and caravans made a major clean-up of the area necessary afterwards.