Court hears outdoor music at Laois pub akin to Electric Picnic at back door

A neighbour likened a pub’s outdoor music to having the Electric Picnic on her back door at night time. 

Margaret Conroy was objecting to an application for a special exemption to extend serving time at Lennons pub in Durrow on May 1. 

Sgt JJ Kirby told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the state had no objection to the application. 

Ms Conroy told the court she lived three doors from the pub. She objected to the music being played outdoors at the venue. “The music can be heard for miles around,” she claimed.  

She said it “can cause reverberations in people's houses” and goes on until 2.30am. “It means you cannot go to bed until that time,” she told the court. 

Acting on behalf of publican Mark Lennon, Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client “is anxious to address any concerns that she may have.” He explained that the outdoor area was “not completely open air” and was a large covered area. 

Ms Conroy told the court she had lived at the address for 41 years and had not had problems before. She described the outdoor area as being like a big marquee. 

 “It is the same as having the Electric Picnic on my back door at night time,” she said. “I feel that it is unfair that music is played outdoors,” she remarked.  Ms Conroy said she had no objection to music being played indoors. 

Mr Meagher said the pub had been in the same family for generations. He explained that work had been carried out to enhance the outdoor area because of Covid.  He said his client has given a commitment that the outdoor music would stop at 12.30am.

Judge Patricia Cronin said she would “grant the special exemption on the understanding that the music ceased outdoors at 12.30.” 

Judge Cronin said a new application will have to be made after May 31 and she assured Ms Conroy that any concerns would be considered by the court.