Damages for woman disturbed by noise

A Dublin woman, who claimed her life had been disturbed for three years by noises “morning, noon, and night” from a water pump in her neighbour’s apartment, has been awarded damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

Carol-Ann Flanagan, a Dublin City Council tenant of Crossguns Bridge, Phibsborough, claimed the pump, used to power a shower, washing machine, and taps in the rented apartment directly adjacent to hers and owned by Kay Lennox, had not been designed for multi appliances.

Ms Flanagan, who moved into the apartment in May 2012, said the noises were like “little explosions”.

“The apartment went from being a relatively quiet and peaceful place to something like a construction site,” Ms Flanagan told her barrister, Conor Bowman SC.

The court heard she contacted Dublin City Council, which investigated the matter but decided the noise did not constitute a nuisance. She issued legal proceedings against Ms Lennox, of St Fintan’s Rd, Sutton, Dublin, after mediation failed.

She said: “I am not a party reveller. I read a lot at home. I’m only a tenant who wants to live in peace and quiet.”

Circuit Court judge Mr Justice Raymond Groarke

said Ms Lennox’s tenants had done the best they could to accommodate Ms Flanagan, but awarded her €7,500 damages.