A WOMAN who, in the words of a Judge, “made life hell” for her neighbours has been jailed.
Judge Patricia Harney was hearing a complaint under environmental protection legislation from Lorraine Real, of Glenview Drive, Hospital, against her neighbour, Helena Irwin.
The district court sitting in Kilmallock heard that Ms Irwin was playing loud music and “making noise all night, most nights.” The complaints stretched back to June 2021, the court heard.
Judge Harney was told that when Gardai called to the house, Ms Irwin did not answer the door.
Ms Irwin’s solicitor told the court that her client suffers from mental health issues and did not fully comprehend the situation.
But Judge Harney said that while she was trying to consider everyone’s rights, “your client does not have rights, because of her mental difficulties, to make life hell for her neighbour.
“She has engaged legal representation and has had the benefit of having things explained to her.”
After hearing that Ms Irwin had no social worker allocated to her, Judge Harney said that the court “cannot supply social workers.”
She said it was obvious the local authority, who rent the house to Ms Irwin, were satisfied “that she has the capacity to manage and to live in her own house. With that comes responsibilities.”
She jailed Ms Irwin for two weeks but set bail at €100, with conditions that should she wish to take up bail and lodge an appeal, that she be on good behaviour, make no noise after 9pm or before 8am, and that she answer the door to Gardaí whenever they call.
