An Athlone family who've been the target of a number of arson attacks since earlier this year are appealing for the public's help in trying to find out who's responsible.
A number of haysheds belonging to the Derwin family have been set on fire in the incident which began in early July.
Hundreds of bales of hay and other property worth around half a million euro have been destroyed in the four separate incidents, with the most recent having taken place just last Friday night/Saturday morning when a hayshed in Fardrum was destroyed. People who were travelling in the Fardrum area at the time are being asked to contact the Gardai if they noticed any kind of suspicious activity, or if they have dashcam footage which could help the investigation.
Jennifer McGuire says the family has had to increase security around their property since the attacks began and it's been a very difficult time.
"Look, we have to put on a brave face for our children and we have to keep going. Financially, we have to work on. We have a business to run. It's not nice. It's not a nice way to live having to watch your back all the time. You build your home for your family, for your children. That's their place of security. For someone to come in and try to take that security from them, it's horrible. I'm trying not to think like that but these people are relentless".
