A Co Louth councillor whose car was targeted with a petrol bomb over the weekend has said he will not be intimidated into leaving his home or being silenced.
It is the 13th attack on either his home or his car, Jim Ryan, an Independent member of both Louth County Council and Dundalk Town Council, said the incidents began three years ago after he spoke against anti-social behaviour.
"However, I do not think what happened to me and my family this time was anti-social behaviour; it was pure criminality," he said yesterday.
He said although he was not afraid of the people behind the incidents, his wife, Ann, was too frightened to leave home.
The latest incident occurred on Friday night as their teenage son was watching television in the front room of the family home in Father Murray Park, Dundalk.
"He looked out the window and said he thought the road was on fire," said Mr Ryan. "There was a sheet of flame across the road from where the petrol bomb had landed on a ramp on the road and it extended to within one foot from my car."
He said if it had been a few inches closer the car would also have been in flames.
He believes a gang of up to 40 people between the ages of 16 and 23 is responsible for the incidents. He feels the violence has increased in recent months.
The Ryans believe their decision not to publicise an attempt to hurl a lump of concrete through the front window of their house earlier in the summer led to a recent incident when a gallon of white paint was hurled over their front porch, door and windows.
Mrs Ryan recalled: "I saw a young fellow walk towards the house and thought he must be delivering fast food, although we hadn't ordered any.
"He came up the path and actually opened the door and threw the tin of paint in at us. It hit the interior glass door and it made such a noise I thought it was a bomb he'd thrown but it was the noise of the gallon of paint hitting the door.
"He had no fear, did not have his face covered, and even though my daughter shouted at him that the gardaí were on the way, he just continued pouring paint around my porch as if he was watering the plants there."
One youth was questioned by gardaí, and according to a Garda spokesman, a file will be sent shortly to the DPP.
Mr Ryan is aware it is his role as an outspoken public representative that has led to him being targeted but also believes there are many other silent victims.
"I am not intimidated and I will not leave my home, but I do know the people involved are dangerous."
A Garda spokesman said an investigation was under way into the petrol bombing incident.