This article is from page 16 of the 2006-04-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
A PIGEON loft in Marian Avenue, Ennis, that has been the source of a bitter neighbours dispute, has been granted planning permission. Ennis Council has granted planning permission to May Guilfoyle to continue housing 30 racing pigeons from a loft at 24 Marian Avenue, in spite of neighbours John and Mary Flynn claiming that they are “prisoners in their own home” due to the presence of the pigeons.
Commenting on the outcome, George Guilfoyle said, “We’re happy with the decision. The loft is kept up to a very high standard and the pigeons are very well looked after.”
Mr Guilfoyle said that Marian Avenue has had a long history of involvement in pigeon racing. “As kids, we didn’t have Playstations or anything like that,” he said, “All we had were the pigeons.”
Relations between the neighbours have broken down due to the bitter fued. “We don’t talk at all,” said Mr Guilfoyle, “We could really do without the hassle that this has caused and I would be prepared to do anything to stop the bickering. I don’t want any trouble and my parents are elderly and they don’t want any hassle.
“We’ve not done Mrs Flynn any wrong by having the pigeons here. They have been here since 1982 so I can’t understand why she objects now. We’d like everything to go back to the way it was. I have nothing against the woman.”
Mr Guilfoyle said that he hopes Mrs Flynn doesn’t appeal the Council’s decision to An Bord Pleanala. He said that if she does, his pigeons won’t be able to race this season.
The Town Council’s planner stated that the details submitted by the Guilfoyles on the management and care of the pigeons would not adversely interfere with the amenities of adjoining properties. The planner stated: “The objectors have not submitted any details to prove their claim that the pigeons have not been kept since 1985 at No 24.”
The Council granted planning after the Health Service Executive (HSE) kept the number of birds to 30 and instructed that the birds are vaccinated annually and that they are checked by a vet on a regular basis.
Efforts to contact the Flynns for a comment failed.