Volunteers working on the Senior Helpline say they have been inundated with calls from older people terrified by constant fireworks near their homes.
Ms Mary Nally, Senior Helpline national co-ordinator, said there was a constant stream of calls since people started igniting fireworks about two weeks ago.
"Our helpline is just swamped at the moment. People are scared out of their wits. We always get a few calls at this time of year but I've never seen anything like this year. It's unreal."
Ms Nally said many callers had sealed their letter boxes because they were afraid the fireworks would be thrown into their homes. "Some people say the fireworks are actually going off on their doorsteps and are very loud."
She spoke to one older man yesterday who almost crashed when a firework was thrown in front of his car. "Older people are fearful enough since the clocks went back last week," she said. "People already feel isolated and lonely when they close the curtains at 4.30 or 5 p.m. It's a long night on your own. The fireworks are lighting up their bedrooms at all hours of the night."
She called on parents to take responsibility for their children and to discourage them from letting off fireworks in housing estates and built- up areas. "We owe it to older people to respect them. If it was just one night you wouldn't mind, but the bangers have been going off for at least two weeks and we haven't even got to Hallowe'en night," she said.
