Residents in uproar as hum becomes ‘unbearable’ of late

Local people who have had their sleep sabotaged by the Omagh hum in recent weeks have described the nighttime noise as ‘unbearable’ of late.

In the last month, there has been a raft of reports claiming the intrusive drone has been growing in volume, penetrating walls that were previously able to keep it at bay.

However, despite the obvious appetite for answers being expressed by local people, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, who with the help of ‘sound experts’ have been conducting an investigation into the mysterious murmer, claim they are not in a position to provide an update.

“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is continuing to work with the specialist noise company in the ongoing investigation in relation to the ‘humming’ noise in Omagh. It is a live investigation which could result in enforcement action. The investigation is very technical in nature and it is not possible to give an indication as to when it will be completed, or release any information on investigative methods and findings as this may prejudice the investigation. The council will provide an update once the investigation is complete.”

When the local government body met on Tuesday night, Omagh town councillor Barry McElduff relayed the rising frustration of local residents who are ‘fed up’ with the nocturnal nuisance.

“I am not being frivolous, this (the hum) is very serious for people,” said the seasoned Sinn Féin representative.

“Yesterday, I was on the Tamlaght Road in the town of Omagh, and again, very sensible people were telling me that the previous night the noise was unbearable.”

Cllr McElduff informed the council that some of those he spoke with had ideas regarding the source of the sound.

“They have their own theories, industrial-based, to explain where this might be coming from. So, what do they do with that information?”

Chief executive, Alison McCullagh reiterated the council’s position that all complaints should be reported to the local environmental health department.

During the ensuing exchange, Cllr McElduff urged the chief executive that local people should be given an update on the movement of the council’s investigations.

“I think it is important that environmental health speak about the progress or otherwise. This needs to be addressed; that is my take on it. As a councillor for Omagh, I cannot ignore this. I might be encouraged to ignore it, but I can’t ignore it.”

The chief executive then assured the council that nobody was trying to encourage people to ignore the matter, but that a process was in place and that answers would be given when it reached its conclusion.

However, given the lack of light being shed on the progress of the council’s probe, it seems that the people of Omagh still have little idea of how far away they are from the end of this patience-testing tunnel.