Gardai in Mountmellick say they have interviewed three youths following our story on a Laois couple who say their lives have been made ‘a living hell’ since 2014.
Patrick Dempsey, and his partner Carlos, told us about their ordeal since they moved into College Avenue five years ago.
Patrick says that the house the pair now live in was disused when he bought it and that a number of youths had been using it to socialise in at the time.
He says the problems began when he tried to move them along and he believes the fact that he and his partner Carlos are a gay couple may also be a factor.
He detailed a number of different things that have happened to the couple over the years.
He said: “We have had stones thrown at the windows of the house, they have broken the window of my car and they even defecated outside the front door of the house.
“At one stage we had builders in doing work on the estate and the youths picked up the cones that they had put down and threw them at the house.”
On foot of our story, Gardai in Mountmellick have confirmed to LaoisToday that they are actively pursuing the case.
A spokesperson said: “Further to incidents reported in local media regarding anti social behaviour on College Avenue in Mountmellick, three juveniles have been interviewed.
“These matters will also be subject of DPP and National Juvenile Office directions.”
And in a separate incident involving the burglary of a business premises in Mountmellick, Gardai also gave the following update.
They said: “Gardaí at Mountmellick conducted investigations into a Burglary at a business premises in Mountmellick on Saturday night.
“They interviewed two juvenile males on Sunday morning. The matter will now be forwarded to the DPP and the National Juvenile Office.”
As for Patrick and Carlos,
all they want is to be able to live normal lives and not feel like ‘prisoners in their own homes’.
Patrick said: “I am not on social media and going public about this was something I didn’t want to do but something has to change because we cannot continue to live like this.
“We don’t want to be afraid or constantly harassed anymore and it simply has to stop.”
