Omniplex Mullingar investigating noise issue

A resident on the other side of the Royal Canal from the Omniplex Cinema in Mullingar says sounds can be clearly heard at her house – and the firm confirm they are investigating her concerns.

“You can hear the film starting and finishing, and at certain times, the sound becomes louder,” said Grainne Murtagh of Harbour Quay in Mullingar. “It’s this constant boom, boom, boom. There used to be 15 swans in that area of the canal all year round, and you don’t see them at all now, and I believe that’s because of the noise.”

Ms Murtagh has been living at her canal-side residence for 20 years. “In April, I emailed the cinema about the issue, and they responded by telling me to take some sound tests. I also contacted Omniplex head office a number of times.

“In the end, I wrote to the council about the issue and I was asked to set out a noise log, which I did,” said Grainne.

“The noise starts at 5.30 every evening and ends around half 11 at night. We tried to turn up the volume of the TV to block out the noise, but that didn’t work. Then when the summer months came, it got worse because they were showing daytime films for the kids off from school. These would start at 11 in the morning, and again at 2 in the afternoon – so it was all day long. We had to keep the windows closed all summer.

“I’ve contacted the council three or four times since and heard nothing back. I got in touch with Cllr Ken Glynn about it in August, and he has battled to have the council do something about it, which they finally did. They requested that Omniplex Mullingar do their own sound testing.”

The Westmeath Examiner contacted Omniplex Cinema for a comment in relation to noise levels at its facility on Harbour Street. “We are aware of one complaint in this regard and are investigating with our team to verify the concerns outlined,” said a spokesperson, who added, “Omniplex operates cinemas in over 38 communities around Ireland and we are very conscious about living alongside residents in many locations.”

A spokesperson for Westmeath County Council said the local authority are currently carrying out an investigation of the noise levels at Mullingar Omniplex.

“Westmeath County Council have received a complaint in relation to the noise levels at Omniplex Cinema in Mullingar and are investigating the matter.

“As it is a live investigation, we would not be in a position to confirm anything at the moment.

“Our Environmental Section has been in contact with the complainant and will provide further updates shortly.”