A judge yesterday said she wanted the Dublin fire officer to give his views on the safety of a nightclub using an emergency door as the main entry/exit to the premises.
Judge Miriam Malone said she was concerned about the situation at the Pier House Hotel nightclub in Skerries, which is facing objections from a neighbour over patrons causing a nuisance as they queue to go into the venue.
Dentist Mr Joseph Bracken, who lives in an adjoining property for about four months of the year and whose son lived in an attached apartment, claimed life had been "made impossible" by changes to the layout of the Pier House after owner Mr Tom Moran took it over in 1999.
Up until then, people attending the nightclub gained entry through the bar and restaurant area. But Mr Moran decided this was not practical as it gave rise to friction between people queuing and those who were dining and drinking.
Dublin District Court heard Dr Bracken intended using the house as his permanent home but had been unable to do so because of the situation with the nightclub. His son had to move into his house because the noise was so bad in the apartment which was now occupied by workers carrying out work on other properties owned by him (his son) in Skerries.
Hotel manager Mr Joe Sherman said there was no alternative to using the door beside the Brackens' properties. A number of measures had been put in place to minimise inconvenience to them, including extra security and the prevention of illegal parking.
Judge Malone said she wanted the nightclub owner to ask the fire officer to inspect the premises and canvass his views on whether it was safe to use an emergency exit in this way. She adjourned the case to May 8th.