WATCH: Shocking video of fireworks thrown into Laois garden where toddler had just played

Shocking footage showing fireworks rocketing around a back garden where a toddler had played five minutes before, has been shared by a a well known Laois businessman who says he and his wife are in fear of a repeat.

GAA photographer and businessman Paul Dargan from Graiguecullen, has described his fear after youths threw fireworks into his garden where his toddler had just been playing.

Mr Dargan says his 20 months old son could have suffered "life changing injuries" if he had been in the garden.

He shared CCTV footage to the Gardaí and on social media, of several teen boys lighting and throwing burning fireworks over the hedge into his garden, from the grounds of Graiguecullen GAA club where Paul is the Vice Chairman.

The incident took place on Monday, October 7 at 5.46pm.

He told the Leinster Express / Laois Live what happened.

"I brought Michael in from the back garden where he had been playing and was in the kitchen with my wife. The next thing we saw fireworks being thrown in, they went bang, bang, bang and flew all around the place. Our son was five minutes away from life changing injuries. He is only 20 months old but he runs like Usain Bolt, the first thing he'd do is pick it up, imagine the devastation, that's what's frightening.

A burning firework that then rocketed into the toys beside the Graiguecullen house.

"I ran into the club grounds and they ran away. I went to the Gardaí and they said it's an ongoing problem and thanked me for highlighting it. I gave them the CCTV.

"I put it online because if I didn't I feared they could come back. Since then the amount of people who have contacted me and said it happened to them. 

"I've never had a problem before, but this is a threat. It is illegal. I try to create a safe home for my wife and son. I sat up till 2am last night. My wife and myself are in fear," Mr Dargan said.

He is certain that the four boys involved are not members of Graiguecullen GAA club.

"They are not members, they are not local. There is no one that kicks football or hurls in Laois that I can't recognise from here to Camross. I always know faces and these were random young lads. It was a random act."

He appeals for people not to sell or buy fireworks, which are illegal in Ireland unless used with a special licence.

"There are old people, people with pets, that this has happened to. Those lads had no respect for life, they could have taken someone's eye out.

"The Gardaí have to do their job and I trust them to do that. They're good people and so are all my neighbours. 

"I'd just say to these young lads, cop on. And to parents to please don't give fireworks to kids. They are a danger to everybody, they're nearly like a firearm," Paul Dargan said.

An Garda Síochána confirmed the incident.

"Gardaí received reports of an incident involving fireworks in Graiguecullen, Co. Carlow on the 7th October 2024 at approximately 6pm. Gardaí arrived at scene. No one was present. No offenses were disclosed."