Over 40 local residents attended a meeting, organised by Penally Community Council, on Saturday, to discuss an application for a new premises licence for the village's DJ's Nightclub.

The application would permanently extend the drinking time at the club until 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays, with opening until 3.30 am. There would also be extended hours on a Sunday until 1 am.

Clr. Stewart Paul chaired the meeting on behalf of the council.

The clerk, Mr. Jon Everett, outlined the current situation and the impact of the extended hours.

He explained that in two public meetings held last year by the owner, residents had expressed their concerns over the noise and bad language of patrons entering and leaving the club and area, the litter being caused, the behaviour of patrons in the area and in the surrounding streets and the noise of taxis dropping off and picking up patrons. These problems were going on until 5 am or 6 am.

The owner had tried to address a number of issues, but the problems of noise etc. still remained.

The residents supported these arguments unanimously. Many gave examples of the sort of behaviour that the clerk had alluded to. They all pointed out that this was a residential area and the siting of a nightclub in the area was already unacceptable and any permanent extension was now a step too far.

Mr. Everett explained that the community council would be objecting to the licence on the grounds of noise nuisance, anti-social behaviour and the unacceptable loss of amenity to the residents.

In response to questions, the clerk and Clr. Paul said that all residents with an objection should write to the licensing department of the county council to express their objections as soon as possible.