A JUDGE will visit a man’s home in Wexford to determine whether or not his noise complaint merits the alleged offending company receiving a penalty. The man, a member of the lifeboat rescue service, says he cannot sleep after night duty due to the noise.
Judge Donnchadh Ó Buachalla made the announcement after hearing evidence at Wexford District Court about the alleged distress caused to Jack Higgenbotham by noise coming from a nearby factory.
Mr Higgenbotham, a former harbour master and now a volunteer with Wexford Inshore Rescue and Wexford Harbour RNLI, said: “I can’t sell it [my house]. The poorest wretch in Wexford would have a bed to lie in, and I haven’t.”
Mr Higgenbotham, of Kileens, Wexford, took a case against Killane Engineering Ltd of Pinewood Industrial Estate.
Mr Higgenbotham said he lived near an industrial estate, 30m from Killane Engineering. “For over two years I have had difficulties with noise. It’s similar to someone kicking a football at the house,” he claimed. He added that there was noise from 8am to 8pm every day, which causes him and his wife sleeplessness.
Solicitor Eva Lalor, defending Killane, said her client had endeavoured to alleviate the problem. Tests were carried out and the noise was not deemed to be above normal, she said.
The judge said he would rule on the matter after visiting the house.