A family have said they no longer feel safe moving into a new Limerick home after it was vandalised with graffiti threatening to burn it down.
The family now fear they will end up homeless if they do not move into the council-owned home in Garryowen, Co. Limerick.
Vile messages such as "no Thinkers burn out" and "I will burn" were directed at the family, some of whom are Travellers.
The Irish Examiner reports that the family, who wish to remain anonymous, is afraid to take the home in case those who are responsible for the despicable act follow through on their threat.
A mother of five, who is a member of the family, said when they reported the incident to the council, they were told it was likely that children did the vandalism, and they were dismissed.
She told the Irish Examiner: “If I bury a child from a fire, I'd never forgive myself.
"We aren’t eating or sleeping properly. We can’t figure out why someone would do this. We have never been in arguments with anyone, or anything like this."
The worried mother questioned why those responsible had not been reprimanded as there is CCTV in the area.
She said: “I’m embarrassed that my kids have to be put through this.
"We are settled in the community. Our neighbours were distraught when we told them about this.
“We have never had a complaint. We love our community. We paint each other’s houses. If we’re doing our lawn, we’ll do theirs too. And vice versa.”
Neighbours in the area are believed to be shocked by the incident and have said the family are "ideal neighbours".
A garda spokesperson told the Irish Mirror: “Gardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage that occurred at a property on North Claughaun Road, Garryowen earlier this month.
“No arrests have been made, investigations are ongoing.”
