The arrival of Syrian refugees in Co Mayo has led to protests by members of the Travelling community in Castlebar.

As part of the State's commitment to accept asylum seekers and refugees from the war-torn country, a number of families were transferred to homes in Co Mayo this week.

However, when one group were brought to a house in the Cois Abhainn estate, a neighbouring family objected to their arrival, on the basis that they had relatives on the housing list.

A small number of people have been demonstrating outside the County Hall in Castlebar this afternoon.

One of the protesters says several of her children have been living in caravans and have been seeking housing from the local authority for a number of years. She claims a decision has been made to give precedence to families from Syria.

Mayo County Council says alternative arrangements have been put in place for the Syrian family in question "for now". There were no issues with the arrival of three other families in the town this week.

Between now and the end of the year, a total of 17 families who have fled Syria will be re-housed in Mayo.

It is part of the nationwide effort to disperse around 4,000 people around the country, after the Government committed to an EU wide plan to provide assistance to Syrian refugees and asylum seekers.