I am a 14-year-old second-year student who has embarked on a new expedition in life. That expedition includes changes and my huge need for privacy, writes Stephen Murray, Miriam Donohoe's son

As a teenager I expect to have privacy at home. Privacy is something that everyone has a right to. We all need it in order to stay sane. You cannot live with someone breathing down your neck the whole time.

Maybe this is the case in the early stages of life, from age one to 10. But I have entered the second decade of my life, a time when a lot of changes occur.

Privacy is up there with my biggest need. It is like gold dust for me at the moment, and I just can't get enough of it. But privacy and being on my own are scarce around here.

My parents are constantly interfering with my personal issues. If my mobile phone is lying around they will swoop like vultures, open the phone book or in box and go in for the kill.

Any girls' names will bring thorough interrogation, but I have learned the short cuts and tricks. Totally ignore them or come up with a mantra and constantly say it until the vultures leave. But do they leave successfully? I am afraid not.

The vultures use this lethal approach with my e-mail as well. If George Bush is on the lookout for weapons of mass destruction, then he need look no further than my house - or probably most family homes.

My room is a place that should be for me to go home to after school, to think about matters, and a place I and nobody else has access to.

My parents will often come up to my room to talk to me about irrelevant matters (like homework and stuff). I wish to be left alone, without constant interruption, in my room, the only place in the house that I own.

Sometimes, after interruption from my parents, I begin to understand my religion teacher telling us about meditation and the seven circles of faith, which include silence and space, both being factors of privacy.

I get space in my room, but silence is a different story. Shouting "shut up" down the stairs works for about five seconds. Closing the door usually makes my parents and sister even louder.

Sometimes I consider saving up to soundproof my room and be rid of all noises from downstairs.

But I get my peace when they leave the house, which comes around every now and then. At this time I am free to roam about my house, use my phone, check my e-mail and, most importantly, think with a clear mind without the usual interruption.

Privacy is so important at this stage of my life. I would nearly be tempted to use my pocket money, if possible, to buy some of it.

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