A legal action over the alleged operation without planning permission of a sawmills at Leap, Co Tipperary, brought by a number of people, including the Countess of Rosse, has been adjourned at the High Court.
Mr Justice Abbott was told yesterday by Mr Aongus Ó Brolcháin SC, for T and J Standish (Roscrea) Ltd, and three brothers who run the business, Joseph, John and Tom Standish, that a decision on an application for planning permission for the sawmills was due around August 10th.
The plaintiffs want an order restraining the continued use of the sawmills other than in accordance with planning permission.
Mr Justice Abbott said he would grant the adjournment of the case on stringent terms, including that the owners of the sawmills pay immediately €5,000 towards the legal costs of the plaintiffs.
He said he was making the costs order to "show his displeasure" over interference with an engineer who had travelled to the sawmills on behalf of the plaintiffs to take noise measurements.
Mr Ó Brolcháin said his clients had applied for full planning permission and hoped to have an answer from the county council by August 10th.
Mr Justice Abbott observed that if the sawmills failed to get permission, the order of the court would be harsh.
Mr Paul O'Higgins SC, for the plaintiffs, said Mr Karl Searson, a consultant engineer, had gone to the premises to carry out noise measurements on April 20th last and was interrupted by the arrival of a dark-haired lady, driving a Mercedes, believed to be the wife of one of the Standish brothers. She had claimed he was in breach of a High Court order and warned him to move or she would call the police.