Posted online: Aug 29th, 2008

By Dermot Keys
dermot@letterkennypost
Gardai in Letterkenny could be given new powers to tackle noise caused by anti-social behaviour, persistent alarms and commercial activity under new proposals to tackle the issue of noise pollution.
The Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, this week launched a consultation paper on noise issues. It proposed that Gardai and local authorities be given improved powers to deal with noise issues, many of which are common problems in everyday life. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish comprehensive legislation on noise pollution.
There are a number of suggestions of ways in which these problems can be tackled. One common form of noise pollution is car or burglar alarms which are left to sound indefinitely. It was suggested that Gardai be given the power to enter vehicles or buildings in order to disable alarms which have been ringing continuously.
Another issue that would be relevant to Letterkenny is the question of noise arising from clients leaving nightclubs/bars. Many of the town’s night spots are located on the Main Street and within earshot of residential areas so any legislation in this area would have derfinite consequences for these businesses.
Boy racers with noisy modified exhausts on their cars could also face the wrath of the new legislation.
Urban housing is another issue that will be tackled. Problems here include balancing the need for play/recreational areas for urban developments with the requirement to ensure noise from these areas does not affect those in the dwellings.
The possibility of introducing on-the-spot fines to those hosting loud parties or guilty of noisy anti-social behaviour in public will also be examined.
Any new powers would need to be constitutionally sound and would have to be approved by the Attorney General. Other issues raised include noise from construction sites, car horns being used late at night, public events, noisy dogs, and commercial and industrial noise.