Ex-city firefighter takes stand in lawsuit brought by son over alleged abuse at YDC

Former Rochester firefighter and Lebanon, Maine fire chief Dan Meehan while responding to a fire on New Bridge Road in Lebanon in 2017; inset his son, David, testifying earlier this month (Rochester Voice file photo; David Meehan (Youtube screen capture)

BRENTWOOD - A former Rochester firefighter took the stand on Tuesday in a trial brought forward by his son who his suing over claims he was abused at the former Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester.
Daniel Meehan, who retired from the Rochester Fire Department on Dec. 30, 2016, was the state's first witness in the trial. He testified on Tuesday that his son, David Meehan, had a troubled youth, during which he often complained about trouble sleeping, used drugs and was often untruthful.
Earlier in the trial David Meehan explained that he used drugs due to abuse at the hands of his parents, including when his mother put out a cigarette on his face.
Daniel Meehan testified that he did not smoke and didn't allow cigarettes in the home.
David Meehan's lawsuit suggests that he was subject to beatings, rape and long times of solitary confinement during his time at the state youth detention center.
Since news of the ongoing abuse surfaced in 2017, 11 former workers at the center have been arrested and more than 1,000 have filed lawsuits against the state for abuse they say went on for decades.
After leaving Rochester Fire Daniel Meehan served as fire chief in Lebanon, Maine, until he abruptly resigned in November of 2017.