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Objections against the renewal of three Westport public house licences were dismissed at a special licencing court in the town on Monday. Judge Oliver McGuinness heard of allegations of noise pollution caused by loud music emanating from O'Grady's on Castlebar Street, O'Malley's and Henehan's, both Bridge Street, Westport. Bringing the objections before the court were Mr. James Reidy, Mr. Tom Carter and Mr. Padraic Higgins, on behalf of the Westport Residents Association. The court was told by Mr. James Reidy, chairman of the Residents Association and a resident on The Mall since 1963, the playing of loud music from O'Grady's between 10p.m. and midnight was affecting his family and tenants in apartments he owned who complained they could not sleep because of the music. On one occasion his daughter had contacted the pub in relation to the loud music. The reply she received, he said, "was not very amicable." Since the case was adjourned from the annual licencing court there had been an improvement in the situation and the music was now "tolerable". There had been noise until last August. The licensee had indicated he would take measures to stem the waft of music from the premises. Appearing on behalf of the Westport Residents Association, Mr. Reidy said he was also present in court "as a private person who has the annoyance of this music across the river." Mr. Reidy also objected to the renewal of a licence for Henehan's pub. Music from an outside beer garden, he said, "can be heard all over the town." Mr. Tom Carter, Bridge Street, Westport said music from the premises O'Malley's' was quite loud and speakers placed inside skylights propelled the noise outside and affected people sleeping in back rooms in his home. There had also been a problem with a speaker placed at the front of the premises. Since June there had been no problem with the speaker at the front. He had heard music but it was not too loud and caused no trouble. He was assured the music would be kept down and he now had no objection to a renewal of the licence. Mr. Carter told Judge McGuinness when there was music in Henehan's beer garden and the front door to the premises was open he and his family were forced to turn up the volume on their television to be able to hear it. The music was "like an open air concert at times," he said. Ms. Eanya Egan, solicitor, representing the objectors, said her clients were not trying to deprive anyone of a livelihood. Court action was considered as the only way to get people to run their businesses in an orderly fashion. It had the desired affect and they had now been given undertakings. Judge McGuinness was urged by the defendants to dismiss the objections as the court was not satisfied they were objecting on behalf of and with the authority of the Westport Residents Association. The fact there was now no problem with O'Malley's was also put forward as a reason for dismissal. Judge McGuinness said he received no evidence about the size of the Residents Association and who authorized the objections. It was clear from the evidence of Mr. Carter the case against O'Malley's must fail and he dismissed the objection. He also issued a dismissal in relation to Henehan's. In the case on Mr. Reidy's objection to O'Grady's licence Judge McGuinness said he knew music could waft a long way on a summer night "but I can't see why accommodation can not be reached between the parties "The evidence in this case is not sufficiently strong to warrant a conviction and I will also dismiss."
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