Property owners along Co Kerry's protected Kenmare Bay have reacted to a campaign against development in the area by an eco-friendly tourism organiser.
Mr Raymond Ross, owner of the Seafari eco tour boats, claims the Celtic Tiger is the most dangerous predator on Kenmare Bay, because of the building of large houses along the shoreline.
He wants to stop what he sees as the shoreline destruction in what is an EU conservation area, and he has promised to take his concerns to the EU.
Last weekend Mr Ross's diesel oil tank containing hundreds of litres of oil was allegedly deliberately spilled into the rare sanctuary. He erected a public notice saying he was "in no doubt" this was sabotage because of his environmental stance.
The Garda is investigating and the tank has been removed for forensic examination.
Property owners on the bay, where sites can fetch up to half a million euro, say they like Mr Ross's tours, which draw many visitors, but they dislike his anti-development stance. They also claim Mr Ross's use of the public pier is not so eco-friendly.
Ms Anne Finn, a local teacher who has a guesthouse overlooking the bay, said: "We all recognise this fellow is providing a service. But a lot of the people who built these houses he complains about are native to the area." She also wondered if the so-called sabotage was not a wanton act, part of the regular Saturday night high jinks. There was great concern for the environment locally, she said.
Last May, Ms Finn complained about Mr Ross to Kerry County Council. Out on a school tour she found his diesel taps were dripping on the pier.
The county council inspected the tank and recommended certain measures, but found no leaks. Mr Ross said he had implemented the measures recommended.
The 18-strong group, the Kenmare Boat-owners, has written to the county council claiming Mr Ross's use of the public pier is causing problems for members, and that Mr Ross's agreement with the council for use of the pier prevents them from using it. Members are also concerned about the disposal of human effluent from his boats.
Mr Ross said the answer to the boat-owners' objections, and ironically to the plethora of illegal harbours, rested with the council. He added that he agreed with them on most points.
The facilities at Kenmare Pier were "primitive". There were no public toilets, and a simple clean-up of the silted shore would help everybody. Any effluent he discharged was well out into the bay, in line with common procedures for boats on the sea, he said.
Mr Ross's next step is to form an environmental group. He has had huge shows of support since the weekend incident, he said.