‘People deserve to feel safe’ – Gardaí investigate attack on Meath councillor’s home
Gardaí are investigating a criminal incident after the home of an Independent councillor in Meath was attacked — just days after he intervened to stop a group of youths lighting an illegal bonfire in Johnstown, Navan.
Councillor Alan Lawes, who has been vocal about anti-social behaviour in the area, said a brick was thrown through the front window of his home shortly after 10pm on Wednesday night.
“I experienced what many residents of Johnstown have experienced over the last few years,” Cllr Lawes said.
“Many residents in Millbrook and Dunville and in other areas of Johnstown have had their homes targeted by thugs, criminals and out of control juveniles.”
The councillor said the attack followed a series of threatening phone calls he received after confronting a group of teenagers attempting to light a bonfire in Johnstown People’s Park on Halloween night.
“On Halloween night a group of youths tried to light a bonfire in Johnstown Peoples Park. That night I received a call from frightened residents in Millbrook and responded. I found a large group of mostly teenagers gathered in the park starting a fire very close to residents apartments in Millbrook.”
"I proceeded to pull pallets off the fire and came under attack by the youths. They threw missiles and aimed fireworks at me as I tried to put out the fire.”
Cllr Lawes added: “I rang 999 and asked for the Fire Service and Gardai as I was still under attack. Thankfully very shortly after the Fire Brigade arrived and the youths dispersed. After that they lit more bonfires and one set a tree alight endangering residents homes in Millbrook. Only for the quick response of the Fire Brigade lives could have been lost.”
“Since then I have received threatening phone calls saying they were coming for my house next. Then the attack on my home happened last night just after 10pm.”
Cllr Lawes said his daughter was woken by the noise, and a neighbour reported seeing a man in a “light-coloured jacket” running from the scene towards Metges Road.
The councillor recently organised a public meeting in Old Johnstown to address concerns over crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
“I will continue to support my community in standing up to this behaviour,” the councillor said.
“People deserve to feel safe in their homes.”
The incident has been reported to gardaí, and residents in the Boyne View and Millbrook areas have been asked to check doorbell or dashcam footage around the time of the attack.
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 5, 2025.