"We have been really shocked by the reaction, " said council spokesman Satwinder Singh. "We have got loads of emails that have been racially abusive. Some say things like, 'Go back to your own country.

We don't want you towel-heads here'. Others have been far more abusive and full of bad language. We've also got abusive phone calls but no threats of physical violence. Some people just don't understand the reasons that a Sikh must wear his turban. Asking him to remove his turban is like asking him to remove his head."

It has emerged that a Sikh man in his 20s who volunteered to join the Garda Reserve would not be allowed wear the turban on duty. The council says the man volunteered because he understood the authorities had indicated the turban would be permitted.

Male Sikhs are required to cover their hair at all times.

The council is to meet with Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy on his return from holidays.