The Office of Public Works has said that it is making a report to gardaí after a contractor working at Castletown House in Kildare this morning was harassed by members of the public.
It said the incident happened at 7am as the contractor arrived on site to carry out what it said are urgent and essential repairs on the heating system in Castletown House.
It said the vehicle was not accompanied because it was outside of public opening hours.
In a statement, the OPW said it will not tolerate any harassment of staff or contractors on its properties.
"The OPW respects the rights of the community to protest peacefully however, all workers have a right to dignity and respect in their workplace and have a right to a safe workplace."
Yesterday the OPW began access for essential contractors via the Lime Avenue but this was blocked by a group of protesters.
It said access today for essential contractors was "successful" and repeated the need for services vehicles to access the site via the contested route.
The OPW said that it is "standard practice" that pedestrians and vehicles share public spaces such as roadways and paths within historic estates, citing examples including St Stephen's Green, the Phoenix Park, Kilkenny Castle, Doneraile Estate and the National Botanic gardens.
"It is not possible to maintain a House of national historic significance and an estate of 227 acres without essential vehicles. In order to open Castletown House and to open the estate from dawn to dusk, access for these vehicles and services is required," it said.
The OPW added that it has "planned controlled, speed-limited access for essential service vehicles, which will ensure that the whole of the Castletown Estate is safe for visitors."
The Castletown Foundation, who are trustees and owners of a significant portion of the collection at Castletown House, has criticised the actions of what it describes as a "small but vocal minority" who it says are "continuing to obstruct access to essential services"
It says it believed the current compromise offered by the OPW is "the only immediate viable solution and should be supported by all genuine supporters and true friends of Castletown."
"It is imperative that there is not another lost summer at Castletown. To prevent this the house and parklands need to be open to local, national and international visitors. The proposed solution is reasonable, proportionate and respectful of all those who currently access the house and parklands," the foundation said.
Social Democrats TD for Kildare Aidan Farrelly again appealed to the minister to engage with the community, saying he "believes a resolution is very close".
"Alongside the other TDs representing Kildare North, we have tried to work with every stakeholder group in Castletown to try to seek a resolution to the ongoing situation since the election. And I firmly believe we are very close to reaching one.
"I continue to appeal to the minister and representatives from the OPW to work with all groups," he said.
"The representatives from the groups I have met and spoken with are keen to find a resolution that ensures pedestrian safety, whilst seeking assurances of other proposed developments on the site.
"I believe formal mediation between all stakeholders could bring about consistent and meaningful engagement between all parties," Mr Farrelly added.
