Pub neighbours say smokers' noise makes lives 'living hell'

Elderly residents in Ennis claim the smoking ban in pubs is making their lives "a living hell".

The residents on the Summerhill Estate say there has been an intolerable level of noise and foul language from smokers standing outside Charlie Stewart's pub in the town.

In a submission to Clare County Council, they claimed they were prisoners in their own homes.

The council has refused the pub permission to build a covered sound-proofed smoking area at the rear of its premises stating it would be "injurious to the residential amenity of the area and not in the interests of proper planning and development". The decision has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Residents said the development would allow their "living hell" to continue. They claim if the plan was given the go-ahead, it would inflict "absolute torture on us on a permanent basis".