Vocal councillor refuses to stand down on anti-social issues after house targeted in incident

Louise Walsh

A local politician has refused to stand down on his stance against anti-social behaviour after a brick was thrown through the front window of his home on Wednesday night.

Cllr Alan Lawes' adult daughter was alone in the house and was left unhurt but badly shaken when she heard the crash of breaking glass at her home in Johnstown, Co Meath around 10pm.

The popular independent Meath Co Cllr, who is well-known for being vocal against anti-social behaviour and drugs in his area, believes the attack was linked to Halloween night when he was assaulted by youths in his attempts to extinguish a bonfire at a local park. Fireworks, bottles and other missiles were thrown at him while he tried to pull pallets from the bonfire.

Although one missile hit him in the arm, the youths scarpered when the fire services arrived after Cllr Lawes rang 999.

The councillor is a voluntary director of the upkeep of the public park, and this was the first fire lit in recent years.

After standing up to youths that night, he received a threatening phone call on Tuesday claiming "his home was next".

Photo: Louise Walsh

He believes this is a reference to other incidents where homes in the area have been targeted in anti-social attacks in recent times.

Cllr Lawes has been very vocal on anti-social instances and arranged a well-attended meeting between the community and gardaí on the issues in recent weeks..

In relation to the brick incident on Wednesday night, he said: "We are looking at other people's door cams at the minute to try and get some identification on the culprit or culprits, but I won't stand down.

"These youths have and are trying to intimidate people in this area into being scared of them. They do and will not rule this area and have no right to destroy the area's reputation as a great place to live and the right to live in peace and safety of their own homes."

Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating an incident of criminal damage at a residential premises in the Johnstown area of Navan, Co Meath on Wednesday, November 5th.