28/04/2010

Belfast Man 'Faces The Music' Over Noise

A man has been fined for failing to comply with a warning about playing loud music at his apartment.

Brian Murdock, with an address at Park Royal apartments on the Upper Lisburn Road in south Belfast, was prosecuted by Belfast City Council for the second time after he failed to comply with a Noise Abatement and Prohibition Notice and fined £200 at Belfast Magistrates Court and also ordered to pay court costs of £69.

The notice was issued by Belfast City Council on February 18, 2009, and prohibited the recurrence of loud music from his property.

Mr Murdock had previously been fined £100 and ordered to pay costs of £69 for the same offence on November 24, 2009.

The prosecution comes during National Noise Action Week and Belfast City Council has been using the national campaign to raise awareness about its dedicated noise team.

A council spokeswoman said: "Excessive noise of any kind can make life a misery and the prosecution highlights the council's commitment to enforcing the legislation around noise control to help improve the health and well-being of everyone.

"We have a dedicated noise team to investigate complaints from Belfast residents and we receive around 6,000 complaints a year - often these are about neighbours playing loud music or having parties, barking dogs and other noise nuisance.

"This year, however, as part of National Noise Action Week, we're highlighting the problem of burglar alarms.

"The council has powers to take action against faulty alarm systems in the city, and the property owners will be billed for any costs incurred. In order to prevent such problems, we would encourage homeowners and businesses to register their details with us and request a key holder registration form," she concluded.

(BMcC/GK)

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