Pupils in Boyle, Co Roscommon, have been unable to use their gym "in the interests of health and safety" because a Traveller has parked his caravan outside it.
Mr Tommy O'Donnell, a father of nine, is refusing to move his caravan from the grounds of the sports hall used by Abbey Community College. The 450 pupils have been told by health and safety officers not to go near their gym because the caravan site has inadequate toilet facilities.
Mr O'Donnell has refused an offer of a five-bedroom local authority house with two acres of land a mile from Boyle because he says it is too far away from the town for his large family. He said his first preference was for a new house in the centre of Boyle.
This week students staged a spontaneous protest at the school in an attempt to resolve the situation before the new year. The principal, Mr Seán Tansey, said that despite meetings, no solution had been found.
"This is a matter of great concern to me and is affecting the day-to-day running of the school. Since September we have not had use of the sports complex adjoining the school. At this time of year, indoor facilities are essential to allow PE to be taught at the school."
The gym which has been used by the school for years is officially the property of the diocese of Elphin which is headed by the Bishop of Elphin, Dr Christopher Jones.
Mr Larry O'Farrelly, chief executive officer of the VEC, said: "The gym is basically owned by the parish or the diocese. The entrance to it is church property. The school has had the use of it for years but we now want to refurbish it and have been attempting to apply to the Department of Education for funding. To do so, we need to sign a long-term lease with the diocese, which isn't a problem except we have been advised not to do so as long as there is a sitting tenant."
Church sources say Dr Jones has not written to the Garda requesting that Mr O'Donnell be moved on.
"Nobody else can request that because it is essentially church land," one source said.
"The VEC did write to the gardaí but they were told that they had no authority to act on their request."
Mr O'Donnell told the local Shannonside Northern Sound radio station that he would not move until he was given a suitable house in Boyle. "I am calling on the county council and if they don't want to buy me a house, if they want to let me pull my caravan on to any bit of land in around the town, I'll pull in until a house comes available.
"I am 3½ years fighting for my family. Do you think I'm happy with that? I have to let my children use the ground on the right-hand side at the back as a toilet."
The county manager, Mr John Tiernan, said: "Less there be any doubt or confusion on the matter, the county council offered a house to this family last September on a large site one mile from the town of Boyle.
"We have undertaken and are ready to extend the house, which is currently a two bed, into a five bed home. The site has connections left to accommodate a mobile home in the interim."