A couple who brought a noise nuisance action against the landlords of a neighbouring rented house had their action struck out at Dublin District Court.
Judge Thomas Fitzpatrick said if they chose to live in a home with "jerry-built, paper-thin walls" they would have to accept they would hear what goes on next door.
The action was taken by Mr Clement Walsh and Ms Lauren Scott against Ms Anne-Marie and Mr Stuart Martin, landlords of a house adjoining their end-of-terrace home in Mulhuddart, Dublin.
The court heard that last December, a family of non-nationals, comprising a mother and her five children, moved in, with the local health board paying the rent to the Martins, who live at St David's Park, Artane. Within days, the new occupants were disturbing their neighbours, playing basketball on the stairs, banging doors and there were people coming and going at all hours of the night.
Judge Fitzpatrick said the complainants should have taken their action against the health board, and advised them to get a solicitor if they wanted to take it further.