Cork pub owner granted permission to keep extension despite elderly neighbour’s objections

A long-running dispute ended after the planning commission approved the Joshua Tree Bar’s garden room extension with strict new conditions

In his submission, the resident said the noise from the extension was “considerable and unbearable,” adding that it interfered with his private property.

A Cork city pub has been granted permission to retain a garden room extension by the planning commission after an appeal by a local resident.

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

The decision was appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála by an 83-year-old neighbour, who 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.

In his submission, the resident said the noise from the extension was “considerable and unbearable,” adding that it interfered with his private property.

He also said gardaí were frequently called due to antisocial and drunken behaviour, as well as fighting, which often spilled out onto the street, with some patrons urinating in his front garden.

"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.

Despite this, the planning commission approved the development, granting permission with updated conditions.

These included that the extension cannot be used as a music venue or nightclub, and that no speakers may be operated from the room.