A Waterford Traveller activist has threatened to take a case against Fine Gael's justice spokesman for incitement to hatred over remarks he made about Travellers.
Mr Garry O'Halloran, a former Fine Gael Waterford county councillor, said he would bring a legal action against Mr John Deasy, who criticised the behaviour of a large group of Travellers who camped illegally in his native Dungarvan.
In 1999, Mr O'Halloran initiated an unsuccessful case against a fellow party councillor, Mr John Flannery, who compared Travellers to "pedigree dogs" who preferred to lie in the sun rather than take FÁS training courses.
Mr Deasy criticised the allegedly criminal behaviour of Travellers who formed an illegal encampment in a public area in Dungarvan, known as The Lookout, last weekend. The town's mayor, Ms Nuala Ryan, said on local radio last Tuesday that the Army should be used when such "invasions" occurred, as gardaí were unable to cope.
Mr Deasy was also interviewed on the station, where he said he would not rule out the use of the Army in such circumstances.
Mr O'Halloran, who is a member of the Southern Travellers' Justice Group, said the Army had no role to play in such matters.
"It makes them appear that they are dealing with a serious subversive organisation," he said.
He said he would take a case under the Incitement to Hatred Act 1989.
Mr Deasy yesterday defended his stance and said he had been "telling the truth" about the behaviour of the people involved. This behaviour, he claimed, included intimidation and verbal abuse of local people, serious assault and criminal damage.
He said he would not describe the people as Travellers, but instead traders, some of whom have houses in Limerick.