'The noise is unbearable': Cork resident objects to Joshua Tree bar garden room

An 83-year-old neighbour has appealed plans to retain a Cork pub’s garden room, citing noise, privacy and antisocial behaviour

The resident, who is 83 years old, said Gardai are frequently called due to antisocial and drunken disorderly behaviour

Plans to retain a garden room extension at a Cork City pub have been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Pub owner William Creagh received the green light from the city council in July to retain a single-story garden room extension at the Joshua Tree Bar at 69-70 Blarney Street.

However, the case will now go to An Coimisiún Pleanála following a third-party appeal by a neighbouring resident.

In his submission, the resident said Mr Creagh was operating an unlicensed premises to the rear of the Joshua Tree Bar, with the extension running as a “Shibin” without planning permission.

“The noise emanating from the extension is considerable and unbearable,” the resident wrote. “The extension interferes with my privacy on my own premises," adding that customers of the bar were consuming alcohol overlooking his premises.

The resident, who is 83 years old, said Gardai are frequently called due to antisocial and drunken disorderly behaviour, as well as for fighting, which often spills out onto the street. He added that patrons of the pub urinate in his front garden and leave empty glasses on his premises.

"I should not be subjected every weekend to this antisocial behaviour. Loud, boisterous, drunken behaviour from customers coming from the Joshua Tree Bar awakens me frequently."

"As a neighbour since 1982, I am extraordinarily upset by the unneighbourly conduct of Mr Creagh, who has no regard for the law by his actions and by the actions of his customers."

The resident said he was frightened by this behaviour, as was his late wife, who passed away earlier this year. 

An Coimisiún Pleanála are due to decide on the case by December 15, 2025.