A Mayo Traveller family of 13 is being forced to spend Christmas on an illegal and filthy halting site near Charlestown because of fears for their safety if they move to a serviced site two miles away.
The Wards, who have no running water, were to be given new caravans by the local authority and relocated on the N17, about a mile from Charlestown on the Knock road.
However, threatening graffiti, such as "No Knackers Here" and "Keep Filth Out", has appeared on walls and a container at the proposed new halting site. Part of a newly built brick wall has also been knocked down.
Mr Michael Ward (42) confirmed yesterday that he and his family would be staying put for Christmas, despite the unsuitability of their present location.
He said he and his family, his children aged from 16 years to three, and his father, Tom (74), were disappointed as they had been looking forward to the transfer. "I'd like some place cleaner for the kids with proper shower facilities. It's worse than Ethiopia where we're living at the moment."
Mr Ward, his wife, Mary, and two of the 11 children sleep in one caravan at Ballymote Road while the other nine sleep in the second caravan.
The Mayo county secretary, Mr John Condon, confirmed that the local authority had been informed that the family would not be moving to the temporary halting site because of fears for their safety. "I'm afraid it is back to the drawing board as far as accommodation for the Wards is concerned," he said.
Ballyhaunis Road Residents Committee, which has condemned those responsible for graffiti, said the relocation of the Ward family would pose a major health and safety hazard as more than 12,000 vehicles use that section of road daily. The association said it was not anti-Traveller but pro-health and safety.
Mr Ward said yesterday his family has been waiting for better accommodation for three years, "but we intend hanging on now until we get a better offer".
Mr Ward said he was confused as to why anybody would want to object to his family being relocated. "My father has lived more than 50 years in Charlestown", he said. "I was born and christened here. The local people treat me with good respect and I treat them with good respect as well."