Pigeon loft creates a flap in Ennis

In an objection against a pigeon loft in a built-up housing estate, Ennis Town Council has been told that the next-door neighbours now regard themselves as "prisoners in their own home".

John and Mary Flynn live next door to George Guilfoyle, who houses 30 racing pigeons in a loft at Marian Avenue. The Flynns' objection says the situation "has created an intolerable situation for them and creates a very difficult situation in which they cannot enjoy the reasonable amenity of their own dwelling house".

The loft is the only one in Clare to come away with a national title for racing pigeons, while a number of Mr Guilfoyle's pigeons have secured numerous runners-up titles.

In a letter to the council, Mr Guilfoyle states that pigeons have been kept at Marian Avenue since 1974 and "although starting as a hobby in boyhood, this race-pigeon training is now a way of life".

In support of Mr Guilfoyle, 50 residents of the estate have signed a petition "to continue keeping racing pigeons at the loft". An accompanying letter from the Marian Avenue Residents Association points out that "local support for Mr Guilfoyle is high", and calls for "round-table talks" to end the dispute.

Last year, the Flynns fought their case, resulting in the council serving an enforcement notice on May Guilfoyle, the owner of the house.

The notice requires Mrs Guilfoyle to cease keeping pigeons in a newly constructed shed. It threatened legal action if steps were not made to regularise the situation. Mrs Guilfoyle lodged a planning application last month.

She said her son George's national title win "was a source of great joy, not only for my son in particular, but also for myself and I would like to think the town of Ennis and Clare".

In their objection, the Flynns state: "Marian Avenue is a high-density built-up area with quite small, narrow back gardens and limited amenity space. It is manifestly unsuitable for the keeping of a pigeon loft". A decision is due later this month.