This article is from page 2 of the 2006-02-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE home of Clare’s only All-Irelandwinning racing pigeon is the source of a bitter neighbours’ dispute.
In a hard-hitting objection against a proposed pigeon loft, Ennis Town Council has been told that neighbours, John and Mary Flynn now regard themselves as “being prisoners in their own home”, due to the pigeons already housed at 24 Marian Avenue, Ennis.
Solicitors have become embroiled in the dispute, which threatens plans by Ennis-man George Guilfoyle to continue housing 30 racing pigeons from a loft at No 24.
The Flynns live next door, at 26 Marian Avenue, and in their objection state that Mr Guilfoyle’s pigeon fancying, “creates a very difficult situation in which they cannot enjoy the reasonable amenity of their own dwelling house”.
In a letter to the Town Council, Mr Guilfoyle states that pigeons have been kept at 24 Marian Avenue since 1974.
“Practically, all spare time is used to tend the birds, that require constant attention. I feel that my birds hold no threat as regards a health hazard.”
Fifty residents of Marian Avenue have signed a petition “to continue keep racing pigeons at the loft”, while an accompanying letter from the Marian Avenue Residents Association states that “local support for Mr Guilfoyle is high”.
Last year, the Flynns employed solicitor Billy Loughnane to fight their case, resulting in an Enforcement Notice being served on May Guilfolye, the owner of 24 Marian Avenue. The Town Council also employed its own legal firm to correspond with the Flynns’ solicitors.
The Enforcement Notice requires Mrs Guilfoyle to cease the keeping of pigeons in the newly constructed shed and threatens legal action if the situation continues.
In response, Mrs Guilfolye lodged a planning application last month. In an accompanying letter, she states: “For over 30 years, the Guilfoyle family have taken an avid interest in pigeon fancying.”
She said that her son, George’s National Title win, “was a source of great joy, not only for my son in particular, but also for myself and I would like to think that the town of Ennis and Clare”.
The objection states that, “the Flynn’s children are afraid of the swirling of the birds and the noise and nuisance created by them.
“They are unable to use their back garden premises during the Summer months and now regard themselves as being prisoners in their own home.”
A decision is due on the application later this month.