A Fife Traveller who has been the target of repeated vandalism, including an arson attack, believes he is being persecuted because of his traditional heritage.
Jim O’Connor has lived in a caravan at Auchtermuchty Common, to the north of the town, for 15 years and grazes horses there.
On the afternoon of December 22 and again on the morning of January 19 he said electric fencing that contains his three horses at the common had been cut, allowing the animals to stray on to the road, to the endangerment of themselves and road users.
Now Mr O’Connor has offered a “substantial reward” for information that leads to the identification of whoever is responsible.
He told The Courier: “I’m forced to appeal for information following these insane acts and have now put posters up around Muchty because Police Scotland have been informed but I feel they are unwilling to follow up leads.”
Bristol-born Mr O’Connor, whose mixed Traveller heritage goes back generations, said he made use of his legal right to graze his horses on the common, which is owned by the Macduff Trust.
The trust maintains the common and has worked in partnership with Mr O’Connor on a grazing conservation scheme.
He said he lived largely in harmony with the community. He is well known in Auchtermuchty for his charity work and his horses Molly, Peggy Sue and Logie, which he uses in parades across north-east Fife.
However, in 2010 he suffered a serious act of arson when vandals ransacked his caravan and set fire to a number of his prized possessions, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Then a large bonfire was started around 100 yards away, out of sight of the main road, where a wooden-framed two-wheeled horse gig and a four-wheeled cart belonging to Mr O’Connor were set ablaze.
He also revealed that on November 11 last year someone maliciously phoned the Scottish SPCA and claimed that his horses had been abandoned on the common.
Mr O’Connor believes the attacks have been racially motivated and recent activity has been “the worst he’s experienced”.
While Fife Council does not own the common, Mr O’Connor said the authority had been “very good, very supportive” and he described the Scottish Government as the “most enlightened Government in Europe” when it came to Travellers’ rights.
On behalf of the police, Community Ward Sergeant Neil Mackenzie said: “We can confirm that we have received a complaint of damage to a fence on Auchtermuchty Common, which occurred on Monday January 19.
“We are continuing our enquiries into this incident and I am appealing for anyone with information to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”