TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 €2.10 (£1.80 OVERSEAS) COMMUNITY GAMES HERALD IS MAIN SEE SPORT AWARD FOR HERALD SPONSOR FOR ROSE 16 SEE PAGE Pups ready for patrol duty! Grandfather offering to donate puppies to elderly people who are feeling vulnerable

BY CIARA MCCAUGHLEY dogs as they have great scent in and criminal activity. This, on top invest in a household dog, has their nose, are extremely alert but of the closure of Garda stations, praised the generous spirit of Mr A BALLYFARNON grandfather is are not vicious. They will alert means that people no longer feel Healy. offering to donate puppies to eld- homeowners to anyone approach- as safe as they once did in their "PJ is a great man for deciding erly people who are feeling vul- ing the house," explained PJ. homes, times have changed dras- to do this. He could easily make nerable in their homes. Although the dogs could easily tically. The criminals are sophisti- money from selling the puppies, PJ Healy has six Lab-Pointer be sold for €600 each, PJ said that cated and have great ways of net- but has decided to give to those puppies (a cross between a point- he was not interested in accepting working and finding out all the living in fear the chance to sleep a er and labrador), which he is will- money for them, adding that as a information about people. Unfor- little better at night." ing to donate free of charge to pensioner he could understand tunately, a lot of the time, they get To contact PJ Healy in relation worthy homes, especially where why people were feeling anxious their information from people to the puppies, phone 071 people are feeling vulnerable. in their homes. PJ is married to locally, which is a worrying devel- 9647014. "Unfortunately, there are so Josephine and the couple have six opment. many elderly people who are children. However, he said the Ire- Hopefully, having a dog like this Darragh Healy, Ballyfarnon, being terrorised in rural Ireland. land of today was vastly different around the house, will put people pictured with some of the They are afraid in their homes and to when he was rearing his own a little more at ease," he added. pups, which his father worrying about being the victim of family. Cllr Eugene Murphy, who sug- is willing to donate to crime. These dogs are five months "When you turn on the news, gested that in the wake of a good home. old and will make excellent guard there is so much talk of break-ins increased crime, people should Pic. Mary Regan

Herald wins award

THE ROSCOMMON Her- ald has picked up another major award for its Commu- nity Games coverage in Close to breaking point 2012. At an awards banquet in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Saturday night last Wind farm at Skrine, Roscommon ently and for a period of at the Herald won the presti- least six months. gious overall award for the causing noise problems for local families It has since emerged that second year in succession. It no specific noise limits were is the third time in four BY MARESA FAGAN those living close by. attached to the grant of plan- years that the paper has This week one of the fam- ning permission for the tur- been presented with a Com- ROSCOMMON COUNTY ilies affected by the wind tur- bines, which was granted by munity Games main award. Council has received com- bines, Michael and Dorothy An Bord Pleanala in 2005. Sports Editor Ian Cooney plaints from local residents Keane, told the Herald that The council has indicated accepted the award on the in the Skrine area of they were close to breaking that this was "unusual" in Herald's behalf from Minis- Roscommon about noise point and felt that they had correspondence with one of ter of State for Sport and pollution from a small wind no option but to make a the families concerned and Tourism, Michael Ring, TD. farm in the area, the Herald complaint to the council. that the absence of specific (see full story in sports section) can reveal. "We just want someone to noise limits made it difficult The Herald has learned listen to our concerns, to see to enforce compliance. that Roscommon County what we have to live with day While the council accept- Council has received com- in day out. We are at the end ed this difficulty, it said that plaints regarding noise pol- of our tether and cannot wind energy company, lution from residents living take much more. We cannot Gaelectric, had provided evi- ����� in close proximity to two sleep at night and are strug- dence last December to wind turbine structures, gling to cope on a daily basis show that noise levels were which were commissioned because of this constant pul- within generally accepted in August 2011. sating noise that gets inside limits. The households have your head," Michael Keane Gaelectric also confirmed ���� ��� ���� �� complained that the noise told the Herald. this week that it had com- from the turbines, which The other family, who missioned noise surveys last ������� ���� have an overall height of wished to remain anony- year, which found that the ������ ������� around 100 metres, has mous at this stage, also con- Skrine wind farm was oper- turned their lives upside firmed that it had made ating within noise thresholds down and made their lives complaints to the council agreed with the county unbearable. The constant over noise coming from the council last year. pulsating noise has led to turbines. The family indicat- sleep deprivation and is ed that it wanted noise levels (see full story Michael and Dorothy Keane who claim their lives have been destroyed by wind impacting on the health of to be monitored independ- pages 12 & 13) turbines. Pic. Gerard O'Loughlin 12 NEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 ROSCOMMON HERALD Noise invades the Keane home day and night and has crushed the occupants’ hopes and Dream of rural idyll shattered by noise of wind turbines

Couple tell of 'living hell' in the shadow of whir and almost purr with our fingertips," he added. turbines at their Skrine home every passing gust of wind. Dorothy said that they But for Michael and felt "trapped" and that Dorothy their shiny clean there was nowhere in their lengths as lining their bed- exterior masks a more own home that they could room windows with duvets menacing threat - one of escape from the noise. "I in a bid to dampen the noise pollution that has can't get the noise out of incessant, pulsating noise stolen months and months my head. It's horrendous, that keeps them awake at of sleep and dashed their absolutely horrible," she night. dreams of a quiet life in the said. The sight of duvet-lined countryside. "This is a real abuse now. windows is indeed a stark For us to even have to leave one. It encapsulates the our home to go to Galway BY MARESA FAGAN desperation experienced it's the was traumatic because we [email protected] by Michael and Dorothy don't want to go any- Keane, who are now at noise where," she added. breaking point. that's inside the The nearest of two wind DUVETS, NOT curtains, The couple, who moved turbines is less than 750 line the windows. On one to the Skrine area of mid- house; it's rhythmic, metres away from their window alone a king size Roscommon almost a incessant, tonal, and home and despite heavy duvet, along with several decade ago, are at a loss. “ duty insulation in the house Michael and Dorothy Keane who claim that their lives have been made a living single duvets and fleeces, Devastated, bereft, dis- unrelenting” walls and attic, the whir of hell due to noise from wind turbines located near their home. fall where curtains would traught, are just some of -Michael Keane the turbines seeps through Pic. Gerard O'Loughlin. normally drape. This is the the words Michael and and penetrates their every bedroom where one couple Dorothy use to describe the waking and sleeping escape it. It's a feeling that of date. ing our home," Michael seeks refuge from what impact of nearby wind tur- Out of pure exaspera- moment. you're not in control," "We are living in a toxic said. they describe as a "living bines on their life. The tion, the couple who are in Dorothy explained. site. The landscape has "We can live with the hell" in the shadow of a noise invades their home their 60's, were forced to there is "There is this horrible become an industrial site as outdoor noise, looking at small wind farm in the day and night and has flee their home briefly in sensation and horrible a result of this develop- them, and the shadow flick- rural heartland of County crushed their hopes and recent weeks as they this noise that I just cannot ment," Dorothy said. er but it's the noise that is Roscommon. dreams of living out their sought refuge from the horrible sensation escape. It's in my head and "We feel that we don't penetrating our home that Desperate times require lives in the rural idyll that noise and a decent night's in my chest, it's just drastic. matter, that the people we cannot live with," he desperate measures. And County Roscommon offers. sleep. and horrible noise There's no escape from it," who live close to wind tur- added. such is the intrusion of The 100 metre tall man- Exhausted and pushed that I just cannot she added. bines don't matter because On Monday morning fol- noise from nearby wind made structures rise above to the brink they were “ Michael and Dorothy there's no protection in the lowing another sleepless turbines that one retired Skrine hill, appearing rela- forced to seek medical escape. It's in my have found some small guidelines as they currently night Michael made a fur- couple have gone to such tively inoffensive as they advice and were told that head and in my comfort in the fact that exist in relation to the real ther emotional appeal for moving house might be they are not completely issue of noise. And we the council and Gaelectric their only option. This has chest, it's just alone as they recently would say when we see the to help them in any way to left them shattered and dis- drastic” learned that nearby neigh- CEOs of all these renew- alleviate the noise that is illusioned. bours are also experiencing able wind energy compa- making their lives such a They have since -Dorothy Keane the same noise and have nies living 700 metres from misery. returned to their home, also made complaints to a wind turbine then we can Turning off the turbines however, and are clasping the council. all join them," Michael at night, he says would onto any faint hope that Michael described it as "Knowing that you're not added. bring them some peace some resolution can be akin to having two deep on your own, that what you The couple say they are although he does not hold found to give them some freezers running in your feel and what you're sens- not 'NIMBYs' (Not In My out any great hope of that peace and give them their bedroom both at different ing is not just you, that's so Backyard) and that they becoming a reality. lives back. rhythms while Dorothy important," Michael said. were willing to live with the "We don't want to have "It's the noise that's explained that there was no "Our hope and our best external noise but just can- to fight with anyone and we inside the house; it's rhyth- escaping the noise. wish is that we can stay in not cope with the sound are appealing to Roscom- mic, incessant, tonal, and "We're back in our own our home but we're afraid invading their home and mon County Council and unrelenting. We cannot home and we very much that if we stay we'll become making their life a living Gaelectric to help us to sleep and wake four or five want to stay here but at the ill; we're fearful for our hell. solve this problem. We times every night," Michael moment we don't have health and peace of mind," "We want the council don't want to fight a battle explained. much hope; this is causing he added. and Gaelectric to take our but are just looking for "We haven't had a prop- us so much distress that we Their experience is one complaint seriously and to help, we just want them to er night’s sleep since these feel pretty hopeless and are that could be replicated deal with it on a profession- tell us what can be done to wind turbines were com- in despair," Michael said. right across the country in al level and to be cognisant fix this and we'll do it our- missioned in 2011. It's like "It was the realisation the absence of debate and of the fact that they are selves. All we are looking torture. We are at our wits the other week when it all inquiry into the environ- dealing with the health of for is a bit of humanity and end and are unable to func- came on top of me that I mental impacts of wind two people. We wouldn't be compassion," Michael con- tion properly on a daily could not find a quiet place energy and whether exist- in the state we're in only for cluded. The view of the wind turbine from the Keane's home. basis. We're hanging by in my own home, I couldn't ing 2006 guidelines are out the noise that is penetrat- ROSCOMMON HERALD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 NEWS 13 d dreams of living out their lives in the rural idyll that County Roscommon offers Wind energy Noise levels meet guidelines have not international standards kept pace - - Gaelectric claims Kelly WIND ENERGY guidelines NOISE LEVELS from two nised noise standard for mon County Council in specifying minimum dis- wind turbines in the Skrine determining the noise November last. The results tances between turbines area are compliant with emissions from wind of the surveys confirmed and residential dwellings international standards, farms," a spokesperson that the Skrine wind farm have not kept pace with wind energy company, said. was operating within the advances in the industry, Gaelectric, has said this The company said that noise thresholds agreed which is scaling up all the week. under the international with Roscommon County time. The wind energy firm, standard the following lim- Council," the spokesperson That's according to which has developed two its would apply to the said. Labour Senator John Kelly, wind turbines in the Skrine Skrine development: Day- The company added that who has tried to bring legis- Hill area, just south of time: less than or equal to it was open to meeting with lation to increase the mini- Roscommon Town, has this 40dB(A)L90; or lower than the Keanes to address their mum distances between week said that a recent sur- 5dB(A)L90 above back- concerns over noise but wind turbines and residen- vey of noise levels in the ground noise levels; Night had experienced some dif- tial dwellings. While Sena- vicinity of the wind farm time: Less than or equal to ficulties in meeting with tor Kelly's' bill was not sup- had shown levels to be 43dB(A)L90; or lower than them in recent weeks. ported he said that within international stan- 5dB(A)L90 above back- "The firm always seeks dards. ground noise levels. to be a good neighbour to renewed efforts were being A spokesperson for the the communities living in made to tackle the issue. company confirmed that the vicinity of our wind Senator Kelly said that noise surveys were carried the results farms. We have repeatedly Westmeath TD Deputy out by independently quali- sought to meet with the Willie Penrose was bring- fied consultants in the lat- of the Keanes to understand their ing a new Bill before the ter half of 2012 following surveys confirmed concerns and how these Oireachtas to deal with the agreement with Roscom- might be fairly addressed," issue of minimum dis- mon County Council on a that the Skrine wind the spokesperson said. tances from residential noise monitoring plan last farm was operating "We have been unable to dwellings. July. “ meet with them for some "The guidelines have not The wind turbines, within the noise time, despite our best been reviewed or updated which are 64 metres in thresholds agreed” efforts, due to their unavail- since they were developing height and have an overall ability, however we remain turbines that were 54 height of around 100 -Gaelectric available to do so, and con- metres in height. Now they metres when the rotor tinue to communicate with The turbines located at Skrine in mid-Roscommon are building turbines that height is included, were the Keanes accordingly," are over 100 metres tall commissioned in August The company said that they added. and are planning to build 2011. noise surveys were carried The Keanes have con- ones as high as 350 metres "The measuring method- out at two locations, includ- firmed to the Herald that but the distances from peo- ology was discussed and ing the home of Michael they had to reschedule ples homes has not agreed with Roscommon and Dorothy Keane, for recent appointments with changed with that," Sena- County Council in July two weeks in July and five Gaelectric because of the Questions remain tor Kelly said. 2012 and is consistent with weeks in the October- noise levels, which had "I'm getting calls from the noise guidelines out- November period. forced them to temporarily people all over the country lined in ETSU-R-97. This is "The resulting report has flee their home. about this, it's a massive an internationally recog- been provided to Roscom- over noise thresholds issue. I'm not saying that wind energy or wind tur- NOISE COMPLAINTS by residents living guidelines conditions attached to grants of bines are bad but there is in close proximity to a small wind farm in planning permission provide specific international research to the Skrine area have this week raised noise thresholds for developers to comply suggest that they can have questions over the need for a review of the with. an impact on health minimum distance between turbines and International guidelines dating back to through sleep deprivation residential dwellings and noise limits. 1996 are used within the industry and for those living in close The absence of defined noise thresh- planning sector to specify such noise lim- proximity," he added. olds for wind turbines erected in the its for wind farm developments. Senator Kelly added that Skrine area has this week prompted the The issue of noise is one of the key con- significant subsidies were need for fresh debate on wind energy and cerns of many communities opposed to being paid to energy com- the need to review and update existing wind farm developments in their areas, guidelines, which date back to 2006. such as the communities of Dysart and Sli- panies to invest in wind The Herald has learned that no specific abh Ban, where wind farm plans have met farms and meet Ireland's noise limits were set for two wind turbines with considerable resistance. renewable energy targets erected in the Skrine area and commis- “We would be very concerned and have but that he believed that it sioned in August 2011. known for a very long time that people are represented "another bub- The planning permission granted in being impacted by wind turbines,” Mike ble" similar to the property 2005 by An Bord Pleanala for the devel- de Jong, spokesperson for the Sliabh Ban boom. "I would be asking opment states that most of the noise community group in the Strokestown the question is wind energy would be masked by the ambient or back- area said. viable and should people ground noise of the wind itself. “There are several serious issues sur- have to live so close to wind It also states that Laeq 40dB (A) was rounding wind farms and turbines, which turbines?" he asked. the standard noise control level for wind are of huge concern to us and I can see Senator Kelly has sought farms in Ireland at that time and predict- this becoming a legal liability nightmare a debate on wind energy ed that noise levels at two nearby proper- for the State, and for local authorities, in with the Minister for Com- ties would not exceed that threshold the future,” he added. munications, Energy and based on a turbine height of 78 meters. Natural Resources Pat Rab- The turbines located at Skrine in mid-Roscommon It is understood that since the 2006 bitte.