THE MAIN car park at one of Co Clare's busiest resorts was taken over by more than 70 caravans and motor homes at the weekend, impeding access to the slipway for the local marine rescue unit and forcing one local business to close its doors.
Up to 300 Travellers from around Ireland and Britain converged on Kilkee late on Friday night and were expected to remain until tomorrow at least.
Kilkee Marine Rescue Service founder Manuel DiLucia said: "We are very concerned about access to the slipway to launch and retrieve our rescue boat. This is the busiest weekend of the year, and despite the weather people will still use the water.
"The poor weather could be a blessing in disguise because if we have to launch a major rescue operation we will have terrible difficulties."
A Garda spokesman said the situation was being monitored "very closely" but there was not a lot gardaí could do. "We have received complaints from local businesses and residents and we are patrolling the area on an hourly basis."
The car park is a pay and display facility and a traffic warden has issued several tickets.