Extra Garda patrols have been organised around the home of Green Party deputy leader Cllr Mary White following a number of attacks.
A gas cylinder thrown on to a bonfire of tyres exploded at the gate to her Kiledmond, Borris, Co Carlow home early on Saturday morning.
The attack, the second in a fortnight at the councillor's home, was described as "a further calculated attempt at intimidation" of Cllr White.
The Carlow county councillor has complained frequently over the last two years about illegal dumping, reckless driving and the destruction caused by quad bikes on Mount Leinster.
"This very serious attack at my home and indeed a reckless act of criminal proportions could have had very serious consequences for both my family's safety and that of passing motorists," she said last night.
The pile of tyres at the gate some 50 yards from her home was spotted by an alert neighbour, who raised the alarm and called the gardaí, who subsequently called the fire brigade when they discovered the gas cylinder.
Last night, the gardaí said they had an open mind about the identity of the perpetrators, but they had increased the number of patrols in the area.
The Kiledmond area, Cllr White told The Irish Times, has been plagued by "little boy racers" who are driving at speed on back country roads" before burning abandoned vehicles in the Nine Stones area, "one of the most beautiful areas in Ireland".
In addition, there have been a number of illegal dumps found on and around Mount Leinster.
