The mother-of-two also revealed her heartache at reports — after Amy’s disappearance — that suggested the teenager had been leading a wild lifestyle prior to the day she vanished.
The couple were accused of letting Amy lead an erratic lifestyle centred on drugs and alcohol — and that she had foraged in bins for food.
Speaking about the claims, made in 2011, Audrey said: “To say I’m furious is an understatement. It’s all lies. Amy did not drink, didn’t smoke marijuana and was never neglected.” Since their return to Ireland last year, things have gone from bad to worse for the couple.
Dave, left, Audrey and Dean.
On January 1, 2013, the fifth anniversary of Amy’s disappearance, Mahon was caught drink-driving near his home in Santry, Dublin.
In a hearing earlier this year, a court heard how an off-duty garda saw Mahon driving erratically, breaking several red lights and swerving in front of oncoming vehicles. In court, Judge Ann Watkin described the 42-year-old’s dangerous driving as being “horrendous”.
He was given a four-month jail term and five-year ban, reduced on appeal to a suspended sentence and three-year ban.
But the ordeal, coupled with her ongoing search for Amy, added to devastated Audrey’s stress levels.
In March, before Mahon successfully appealed his jail sentence, worried Audrey accidentally overdosed on panic pills.
Speaking at the time about the incident, Audrey explained: “It wasn’t a suicide attempt. All I wanted to do was to sleep because I felt so tired. I was out of it for around three days.
“My doctor says it was a miracle I came out unscathed. He’s banned me from taking Xanax which I used to combat panic attacks.
“We’ve accepted Amy’s dead but the pain of not knowing exactly what happened to her and where she is now obviously gets me down.
“My mum’s death last year and my dad’s battle with Alzheimer’s have also worn me down. Dave’s conviction has knocked me sideways again.” As well as Audrey’s stress, Mahon recently revealed how his own health has taken a hit as a result of the search for Amy.
He is due to undergo two hip replacement operations and told recently how he hoped to return to work after them.
The couple also revealed how they were considering returning to Spain when the property market picks up.
Mahon said: “I didn’t have the drive to run a business when Amy first went missing.
“The search for her took over everything else. We survive on €300 a month plus some rent allowance.” The pair hosted a party on February 7 — the date of Amy’s 21st — and invited friends and relatives.
Amy’s old school in Dublin, St Catherine’s National School, Artane, also marked the occasion by unveiling a garden in her honour.
The opening of Amy’s Garden was attended by members of the Fitzpatrick family, Amy’s former teachers, current pupils and Lord Mayor of Dublin, Naoise O Muiri.
Speaking at the event, former principal at the school, Moira Bennett, remembered Amy as the girl “with the biggest smile” and a radiant personality who got on with everyone.
http://www.thesun.ie/irishsol/homepage/news/4943952/Torn-apart-by-tragedy.html
