Itinerant traders parked illegally in a meat company car-park in Mayo were staying put last night - despite the proximity of two trailers full of stinking offal placed near their caravans in a ruse to move them.
The trailers, dripping with blood and with sheep's heads and entrails hanging over the sides, were placed there by personnel from the Dawn Meats company angry at the occupation of their property.
Travellers claim that two children and one man are receiving medical treatment because of the foul smell. They complained to the local gardaí about the smell. "We put old furniture on top of the trailer to keep the smell down," said one man. "We want the trailers removed so that we can clean up the area before we leave on Saturday," he said.
The Travellers claim they have skips and labourers arriving to clean up the car-park before they leave tomorrow. The Travellers, in 45 caravans, moved into the area last weekend and are engaged in selling furniture, carpets and power tools.
A stand-off earlier in the week between the Travellers and the local Muslim community was described by one of the Travellers as "a misunderstanding."
Dawn Meats and Western Proteins (an animal waste company) declined to comment. A Western Health Board representative said they had no responsibility in the matter and suggested contacting the Department of Agriculture.
Mr John Carty (TD, FF) said he was threatened by another group of Travellers who wanted to park on his land.
According to Mr Donal Shanaghy, president of Ballyhaunis Chamber of Commerce, tensions are running high.
Pubs in the east Mayo town have been closing nightly at 8 p.m. since the "invasion" by the traders from Co Limerick, known as "The Rathkeale Rovers".
Members of the local Muslim community, now totalling 317, are concerned that access to their homes and mosque is being hindered.
On Wednesday, gardaí eased tensions between some Muslims whose windows had been broken by arranging for the Travellers to pay compensation for the damage.
Last evening, Mr Shanaghy said people were frightened by the continued presence of the 200 or so Travellers. He declined to comment on whether he supported the action of the meat company. The area was described by one resident last night as "stinking to high heaven".