A new Traveller halting site outside Ennis has been vandalised with graffiti, prompting calls on Clare County Council from Travellers to provide security when the site opens next year.
Mr Pat McDonagh, who is due to move on to the site 2km from Ennis, yesterday described the vandalism as "scandalous".
The perpetrators had daubed "Knackers out" on the 6ft wall of the new Beechpark site, which is in an isolated area. Mr McDonagh said: "We will not be intimidated by it, but what are these people going to do when we move in?"
The site, which contains three houses and three halting bays, is nearing completion, and it is costing the council €330,000 to house each family on it .
Mr McDonagh asked that the council provide security on the site. Already, for reasons of cost, the council has turned down pleas from residents living near halting sites to provide security.
It is spending €9,000 a month on providing 24-hour security at an emergency site in Ennis as part of a High Court agreement.
The chairman of the council's housing committee, Cllr Paul Bugler (FG), said yesterday that the vandalism at the Beechpark site was similar to a situation in Miltown Malbay where locals recently opposed a homeless Traveller family moving into a vacant council house in the village.
So far this year the county council has spent €275,000 on a succession of court cases relating to Traveller accommodation.
Its director of services for housing, Mr Tom Coughlan, said that the funding and staff resources spent on the court cases would be far better used on providing accommodation for Travellers.
"If Travellers and their representatives spent less time trying to take the council to court, more time could be spent on implementing the Traveller accommodation programme" he said.
The council has this year formally opened two permanent halting sites, the latest located outside Ennistymon in north Clare, at a cost of €1.7million or over €300,000 to house each of the six families.
At the opening, the Traveller families presented a drawing of a horse to the council officials in appreciation of the work done.
Cllr Bugler said: "Implementing the Traveller accommodation programme has been difficult and can be a struggle, so a gesture like that has an amazing impact and can make a huge difference."
Mr Martin Collins, the director of Pavee Point, said 24-hour security on the site was not sustainable and not an effective use of resources.
He added, however, that security should be used as a precautionary measure, followed by a mediation process between Travellers on the site and other local residents.
"Obviously the Travellers feel there is some kind of a threat," he said.
"It's absolutely sickening and disgusting in this day and age that there is so much bigotry. This is just one example.
"Racism is a real issue that impacts negatively and should be taken seriously," Mr Collins added.