Intimidation near Laois GAA club highlighted

Alleged ongoing intimidation near the GAA grounds at The Heath in Portlaoise was raised at a recent policing meeting. 

Public Participation Network(PPN) member Tom Jones claimed a woman was “confronted” and followed by a man from the “unauthorised dwellings” in early April. 

“He followed her in the car and pulled her in along the road and harassed her in a big way,” he said. 

Mr Jones said the woman was afraid to go to her own house and instead drove to the Supervalu in Stradbally. He said the woman has sons who play football in the club. 

“She is now afraid nearly to go up around the GAA site,” he said.

Mr Jones claimed “intimidation” was an ongoing issue in the area for local people. He said one man questioned an individual who was taking water from a hydrant. 

“They told him they know where he lives and they would get him,” he explained.   

“Young people are afraid nearly to go near the GAA Clubhouse, it is not good enough,” said Mr Jones. 

Superintendent Eamon Curley said gardaí can only respond to incidents they are aware of.  

“Obviously if there is any crime that occurs we would encourage people to report those matters to us,” he remarked.  

He said the incidents as outlined appeared to be criminal offences under the law. 

Mr Jone said his own family had also been victims of the intimidation. 

“My own granddaughter was out on the GAA pitch there a couple of months ago and this young fella came along with a high powered water gun and destroyed her,” he remarked. 

Mr Jones said the individual made off before he got near him but it could have been a case of taking the law into his own hands. 

“It was disgraceful, the poor child was crying and badly traumatised,” he told the meeting. 

Supt Curley repeated his message that any such incidents should be reported immediately to gardaí. 

“It gives us the opportunity to investigate these matters… we need to know about them,” he said. 

The issue was discussed at the latest Laois Joint Policing Committee meeting.