Get an iPod, sheriff tells Dolly Parton fan who broke noise asbo

Published on 23/04/2010 23:27

A SHERIFF has suggested a country and western music fan buy an iPod because he plays his music too loud.

Michael O'Rourke, who is partially deaf, was hit with an antisocial behaviour order to try to stop him from blaring out his tunes.

But he breached the order by continuing to play his favourite tracks by singers such as Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton at high volume.

When he appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court, Sheriff Edward Savage suggested he buy an iPod so that he can listen to the songs through earphones.

The sheriff told him: "I would suggest you switch from speakers to headphones so you can get the full enjoyment."

O'Rourke, 51, from Peterhead, said that he is severely hard of hearing.

His deafness has landed him into trouble in the past. In 2005, he was banned from a chain of bingo halls because his cries of "House!" were too loud.

Now he has provoked anger from his neighbours because of his non-stop loud music.

He was given a three-year Asbo on 29 May last year.

It is supposed to ban him from playing radios, televisions, musical instruments and any other "sound-processing devices" at excessive levels.

But, a few days after the order was put in place, he breached it by once again playing music too loud. In January this year, he once again fell foul of the order.

O'Rourke admitted the offences the offences at Peterhead Sheriff Court this week, but protested against the ban. He said: "I play my music every day. Who doesn't like music? I love country and western, 60s music and Scottish music. Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Runrig are my favourites. But I also like some up-to-date stuff."

O'Rourke has now been ordered to keep quiet and told the easiest solution would be to listen to music through headsets.

Sheriff Savage said: "Playing music loudly per se is not a bad thing. But it does annoy neighbours who are trying to do other things.

"Noise travels late at night. It can be quite annoying for those who have to listen to music that is not to their taste.

"You are in danger of becoming the oldest swinger in town."

But O'Rourke, who has been ordered to be silent for three months, has a big problem with getting an iPod.

He revealed: "I would not be able to hear it. I'm 70 per cent deaf."

O'Rourke is due to return to court in July.