The father of Irish TV personality and Big Brother star Hughie Maughan had his home raided by police, according to a report.
52-year-old Hughie Maughan Sr. told Sunday World that his home was targeted in February, and his property was seized.
Maughan, who is part of the Irish Traveller community, said his van was among the possessions taken by police. The property was finally returned after garda (Irish cops) failed to show up in court.
“All I want is justice. I won my case,” Maughan said.
Maughan's 29-year-old son was the runner up on season 17 of the British version of the popular reality series Big Brother, which follows a group of contestants living together under constant surveillance. When asked why his home was raided, Maughan Sr. said he couldn't go into it.
"Perhaps someone said something about me [which led to the raid]. I forgive those people who said it.”
Maughan, who sponsors various charities, added, “It really me hurt me inside. For all the good I did, you can make one little mistake [and it takes away from the good]."
He said he understands he is not facing charges. He was grateful to the judge for finally settling the case after police tried to have it adjourned again.
"I’ve been here four times. This is my van. I need my van for sport, I do cycling," Maughan said.
In March, Maughan Jr. was in the news for getting in a brawl outside of a pub in Dublin. Maughan later told The Sun that the episode left him suicidal and in fear for his career. According to Maughan, the charges were later dropped.
"No one was stabbed or shot. I wasn’t punching anyone," he said. “I grabbed the back of someone’s hoodie and that’s how he ended up getting pulled to the ground."
Maughan told The Sun that he was suffering side effects from medication for his recently diagnosed Asperger's and ADHD.
“I had only started taking the medication and had been warned that I would suffer side effects in the first two weeks, especially if you drink."
The openly gay reality star, who is an Irish Traveller, has also talked about facing prejudice from within the Traveller community.
“The video is taken out of context. I’m not a violent person, or a person who gets into fights," he said of shock footage that went viral. “I’ve had a lifetime of provocation for being a gay person in the Travelling community."
