A Listowel man has told Radio Kerry about his family's trauma since a visit by vigilantes to their house before Christmas after their son was questioned about alleged drugs offences in the town.
Mr John Costello (42) told Radio Kerry yesterday he had been assured by senior members of Sinn Féin that the party was not involved in the threat against his wife and son. However, he believed those who visited his house and issued threats may be minor members of the party, acting on their own initiative or that other people "may be using the strength of Sinn Féin to carry out this vigilante gung-ho thing".
Supt Frank O'Brien of Listowel gardaí said they were treating the case "very seriously" and he has appealed for information.
Gardaí became concerned after being confidentially informed that Mr John Costello jnr (18) had been told he had 24 hours to get out of Listowel after a series of drugs seizures in the town. At about 11 p.m. on December 21st, after the 24 hours had elapsed, two men in masks and black clothing arrived at the Costello home in Feale Drive, a local authority housing estate.
Ms Catherina Costello, who has a medical condition, was on her own. Two men pushed her against the stairs and asked her: "Are you John Costello's mother? You are a dead woman." The men said it would be a shame to see her in a coffin, she was such a good-looking girl, her husband said.
In the three weeks since, the family have been traumatised. His wife has gone out only once in three weeks and his son slept with a weapon under his pillow all through Christmas.
Mr Costello admitted his son had an addiction problem and has one conviction for minor possession. Because of the vigilante visit, the family were more determined than ever his son would not leave town, he told Radio Kerry.
The Costellos house was searched by members of the Garda Drugs Squad before Christmas following a number of drugs seizures in Listowel. No drugs were found in the house. Mr Costello had no problem with the Garda search.
Supt O'Brien described the threat as sinister and criminal and was counter-productive.
Sinn Féin councillor Mr Martin Ferris phoned Radio Kerry to say he was "absolutely sure" those involved were not connected with Sinn Féin. However, with all the mud-slinging and demonisation, it was understandable if people would say republicans were involved , he said.
Complaints had been made to Sinn Féin in Listowel about John jnr. He spoke to both father and son and it became clear the youth had an addiction problem.
It was incumbent on him as a public representative to help resolve disputes when approached.
At all times he would ask if they had been to gardaí "and invariably they had been . . . I do not condone any type of activity where individuals or groups of people take the law into their own hands."