A hotel in Wexford and some local pubs closed last night after more than 400 Travellers moved onto a Department of Marine site in the town.
The Travellers were last night still involved in a stand-off with local gardaí that has been going on since they arrived in a convoy of 80 caravans towed by jeeps and vans at the Ferrybank site on Tuesday evening.
The Riverbank House Hotel on the adjoining site closed last night. The borough council swimming pool complex also closed yesterday because staff could not cope with the unprecedented demand for toilets and other facilities.
As the stand-off continued, some publicans in the town closed their doors, claiming it would be cheaper than face prosecution for refusing entry to Travellers.
The Travellers, who are from England and Limerick, refused requests from gardaí to move on. While some jeeps and vans drove away early yesterday, caravans and their occupants stayed behind.
Local Garda Sergeant Michael Walsh said the Garda did not have the means to deal with the situation.
"We would need 200 men and approximately 30 tow-wagons to remove them from the site. But then we have the problem of having no place to put them.
Sergeant Walsh said gardaí were taking names and addresses and summonses will be issued for Travellers to appear before New Ross District Court on Tuesday next.
"We just have to let the law take its course," he said.
Throughout Tuesday night and yesterday, more than 10 gardaí maintained a presence in the area.
It is understood that the Travellers plan to stay on the site for the Bank Holiday weekend before travelling to England by ferry through Rosslare next week.
Mr Colm Campbell, general manager of the Riverbank Hotel, said it would honour its commitment to people who had booked to stay. "Otherwise, the hotel will remain closed. We cannot guarantee people's safety."
He said threats had been made against staff after a number of people in the convoy tried to gain admission to the hotel.