Noisy "nocturnal activities" are blighting neighbourly relations in poorly-constructed new housing estates throughout Dublin, according to a member of the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA).
Stress, irritability and insomnia have been diagnosed in residents by Dr Maurice Gueret, a Terenure GP and EHRA member. He blames this "modern phenomenon" on cost-cutting practices in the construction industry.
"Some new semi-detached houses are so poorly insulated against everyday noise that even ordinary conversations, snoring and other nocturnal activities are easily heard through dividing walls", he says.
Dr Gueret's comments follow the settlement of the so-called "drummer boy" case in Terenure, where neighbours resorted to the courts in a dispute over whether 16-year-old Sean McGarry's drumming was legitimate practice or "just noise".
"This case is just the tip of the iceberg for what is a hidden everyday problem for many estate dwellers", he said.
In a statement printed on ERHA headed notepaper, the GP said his surgery had recently been inundated with patients suffering from the effects of noise pollution.
The problem rarely occurred in older houses, but it affected apartments and semi-detached dwellings built in the last 10 to 15 years.
"The problem can be a great source of tension among neighbours, whereas the real villains are the house-builders, who are skimping on materials", he said. "In older houses, you would nearly want a screaming match next door to hear anything. But they're charging big, big money for these new houses, and all you need is a heavy snorer or a couple who like fighting at night-time."
Mr Kevin Gilna, a spokesman for the Construction Industry Federation, said that the CIF was not taking Dr Gueret's comments seriously. Irish homes were built to the highest standards, he said, and legislation was in place to ensure that this continued.
"We're being blamed for something that has nothing to do with us", Mr Gilna said. "Neighbours are not getting on these days. Maybe it's the stress of modern-day living. There's nothing we can do about that. It's not our department."
People often no longer felt part of the community they lived in and were increasingly allowing small disagreements to get out of proportion, according to Mr Gilna. He added: "They are stressed out and have different ways of relieving stress. Banging on a drum is only one way to do it."
