A teenage boy's drumming practice has driven neighbours to distraction, a court heard yesterday.
Mr Sean Garry (16) has played with the National Children's Choir, but one neighbour said that when he practised it was "just noise".
His father, Mr Patrick Garry, told Dublin District Court yesterday that Sean was only allowed to practise one hour a day. But his next-door neighbour, Mr Alan McDunphy, claimed it could go on for up to five hours, particularly when his parents were away.
Mr McDunphy, who lives in a semi-detached home next to the Garrys at Wainsfort Drive, Terenure, Dublin, said there was "no respite" in any room of the house from the noise.
When he approached Mr Garry about the problem, he was told: "I am not going to stop my son playing the drums."
"It is not like a hi-fi or TV. It is noise that penetrates the whole house," Mr McDunphy said.
He said he was not against the boy learning the drums but he wanted some way to ensure it did not affect the enjoyment of his home.
Two neighbours who gave evidence on behalf of the McDunphys said they had been in the house when the boy was playing. In one room, it was impossible to hear a person talk.
Mr Patrick Garry said they had taken "reasonable precautions" to ensure their neighbours were not affected, including limiting playing to one hour a day and moving the drums to a bedroom away from the dividing wall. They had put up blankets on the wall to muffle the sound.
He took exception to being told by Mr McDunphy what to do in his own home. The drums turned out to be beneficial for his son.
Judge Mary Collins adjourned the case to July 5th to give the families an opportunity to sort the problem out.