Cork city residents hit out as 'ugly as hell' mobile signal booster masts multiply 

While it costs a telecoms company just €125 to request permission for one of these masts, it costs €220 to lodge an appeal against them

Cllrs Sean Martin and Paudie Dineen with residents of Friars Walk who on Tuesday blocked the installation of a second telecoms mast in six months outside a house. The first mast is visible in the background.

Described as “ugly as hell” and “visually intrusive”, communities say mobile signal booster masts have been “dropped from the sky” on them without consultation, sparking unease and concern.

Despite being up to 12 metres high, these mobile broadband signal booster masts do not require planning permission and are dealt with through the same local authority licensing process as street furniture - the tables and chairs placed outside pubs and restaurants.