Most of these people are Irish Diddy Coys, as they like to call themselves Travellers, but they buy up the land, build permanent homes, and still call themselves Travellers, when in fact they are not,
Where I live, about a mile and a half away, is the biggest camp in Europe, and the courts have ruled for them, they own the land, but its Green belt, so officially can't build, but they have, you wouldn't believe what goes on, (well, after your recent experience, you probably would)
They have nothing at all to do with real Gypsies, but the courts have logged them together, so you have to watch what you say, because they'll claim racism.