NO TEMPORARY halting site will be made available to Travellers for the novena in Knock, Co Mayo, this year, despite efforts to avoid the chaos that led to a blockade of the streets last year.
The nine-day religious event begins tomorrow and will see 150,000 pilgrims flock to the holy shrine. The lack of an agreement from local residents over a possible site for a temporary halting site has meant that a solution to last year's problem could not be found, according to Peter Hynes, Mayo County Council's director of services for housing.
Last year tensions reached a climax when about 30 vans and caravans blocked houses and retail premises during the novena. After a number of days, residents set up a blockade on Main Street and forced the Travellers to leave.
A group was set up to resolve the issue including Mr Hynes, Mona Munyikwa of Mayo Traveller Support Group (MTSG), members of the Knock Area Development Association and residents from the area.
"The group was useful but not hugely successful. At the end of the day we couldn't get local temporary services, which would have been the best way to deal with the problem, in place," said Mr Hynes.
The group had endeavoured to identify a temporary halting site in the area.
Ms Munyikwa said the situation "boils down to a lack of understanding of nomadism and the nomadic culture".
"A number of meetings were held between the council and MTSG. It was difficult to get residents to come along, there was ferocious resistance to any temporary measures, but they were adamant they were not racist."
Supt Padraic O'Toole of Claremorris Garda station said a policing plan will be in place for the festival.