Gay men claim they were intimidated during 'surveillance war' with neighbour
A COURT has heard how two gay men living together in Cooley claim they were 'intimidated' by their neighbour during a 'surveillance war' that saw both homeowners put up extensive CCTV systems, which both sides allege are trained on their properties.
Partners John Moley and James O'hare, Ballaverty, Bush, Riverstown, took civil actions against their neighbour, father-of-five Paul Savage, alleging that he had CCTV cameras trained into their bedroom and other parts of their property and claimed he played loud music and left a power hose and lawnmower on for long periods of time.
Mr Savage lodged a counter claim and the case was part-heard at Dundalk District Court last week. Mr Savage still has to put his case to the judge and that is expected to happened on March 26th.
Barrister for Mr Moley and Mr O'hare, Aaron Shearer, outlined the background to the civil action, which, it is alleged, started when Mr Savage erected a building at his house without planning permission.
His neighbours took an appeal to An Bord Pleanala and the application for retention was turned down. Mr Shearer said his clients allege that shortly after the permission was denied, the couple's BMW jeep was damaged outside their home while they were on holidays.
The men allege Gardai advised them the damage was caused by ' wanton vandalism'.
The couple also claim they were advised by Gardai to put up a CCTV system, which they did.
The men allege that Mr Savage, an electrician, also put up an extensive array of cameras, some of which, Mr O'hare alleges, were trained onto their eight-bedroom bungalow.
Judge Patrick Mcmahon was told that Mr Savage admitted a charge of damaging some of the couple's cameras and was given the probation act after paying €2,500 in compensation.
Mr Shearer said there were 'ongoing acts of imtimidation' and alleged that Mr Savage played loud music, left a lawnmower and then a power hose running without being used and a bright light being switched on and off at Mr Savage's house.
Mr Savage's barrister Martin Dully said his client recognised there had been 'a serious deterioration' in relations between the parties.
He said the criminal damage of the couple's cameras was a once-off incident and, as a father of five young children, the behaviour the men allege is not consistent with Mr Savage's lifestyle.
Mr Dully also said Mr Savage had nothing to do with the incident where the BMW was damaged and he was never charged with any offence arising out of the allegation.
