The graffiti was drawn on a rural route outside Ardee in Louth and included swastikas and statements which appeared to target the Jewish community.
Louth County Council confirmed they have investigated the locations where the graffiti was reported, and are working to have it removed.
Local Fianna Fail councillor, John Sheridan, told independent.ie: “Targeting the Jewish community is something that cannot be condoned. The vileness of these comments, including the use of swastikas, is very evocative for the Jewish community, and speaks to how deliberate this was.”
He added that it was “very extensive, almost one hundred metres in length.”
Images of the graffiti which appeared on roads between Shanlis and Ballapousta in mid-Louth, have been widely circulated online.
Cllr. Sheridan, who is Leas Cathaoirleach of Ardee Municipal District said: “I am proud of the events we hold throughout the year in support of minority communities, including different religious minorities.”
“The Jewish community are a religious minority in Ireland, and I think Irish people need to reflect on that. We know what it is like to be a minority, and we should respect those differences. People are entitled to their faith, and we know in Ireland what faith can mean to someone.”
He added: “If people have concerns about other world events, there are avenues to peacefully protest about these, but not to target anyone’s faith or identity.”
The graffiti was “particularly offensive” in the wake of the mass shooting at a Jewish celebration in Sydney, Australia before Christmas, said Cllr. Sheridan.
“We need to be careful about our flippancy around this, and just scrolling past these incidents.”
The Jewish community have, he said, “spoken recently about the very real fears they have, and we should be very aware of that.”
Louth County Council confirmed it is aware of antisemitic graffiti daubed on the R165 and L1260 near Ardee.
A spokesperson said: “After being notified of the matter, our operations team investigated both locations on Wednesday, 31st December, and arrangements are being made to remove the graffiti as quickly as possible.
The council strongly condemns the use of antisemitic language or imagery in any form. Such acts are unacceptable and stand against our core values of equality and inclusiveness, and our commitment to fostering a respectful and welcoming community for all throughout County Louth.”
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