Source of Omagh ‘hum’ may have been found, but council is silent on what it is

Officials won’t identify origin of noise unless legal proceedings are launched

THE source of a mystery hum plaguing Omagh residents appears to have been traced — but the local council is keeping quiet about what it is.

A director of Fermanagh and Omagh council updated members about the investigation into the humming problem.

While the reduction of noise in the area was welcomed, and investigations are ongoing, John Boyle indicated the cause may have been identified — but made it clear this would not be revealed unless public legal proceedings are launched.

The matter has been raised several times by Sinn Féin councillor Barry Mcelduff but responses have generally been sparse on detail due to legal implications and the live status of the investigation.

Mr Mcelduff said: “There is speculation by local people and media that the source of the humming noise in Omagh has been found, which is of significant public interest nationally and internationally, believe it or not.

“Obviously, for a period there has been a reduction in noise, and it may even have totally subsided, which is welcome.

“Because the Environmental Health section of the council is involved in analysing this, my questions are, is it gone and is that the end of it? Is the investigation process complete or is it still live?

“If so, what’s the nature of the process? Is there court action or enforcement possible or likely? Are there any legal proceedings down the track?” Mr Mcelduff added: “The council will have been liaising with complainants in Omagh, so how much has this cost so far?

“Are we allowed to know at this juncture what was or is the source of the noise?

“There is serious interest in this as it’s a very serious issue for people living in various parts of Omagh whose sleep was regularly interrupted by the noise. It’s obvious we would like an update.”

In response, Mr Boyle, the director of community and wellbeing, told councillors: “The noise — without doubt — has reduced. Environmental health officers have been in contact with complainants and continue to be.

“Is the investigation still ongoing? Yes, because we could not be 100% confident that it has totally gone away.

“Is it a live investigation? Very much. We do hope that within a number of weeks we will be able to bring a report — which we always said we would — to [the relevant council] committee on the outcome of that investigation.”

Mr Boyle did not have details of the investigation’s cost so far.

However, he was able to confirm most outlay has been in relation to significant officer time monitoring equipment outside working hours and trying to pinpoint the source.

He continued: “It may be a case that the noise is not just at one particular point, but rather various different issues combine to create a noise wave.

“As such, small finetuning of various instruments that may be there could have been responsible for the reduction in noise.

“Are legal proceedings likely in the future? I couldn’t say yes or no at this stage, because the investigation process is ongoing.”

Mr Boyle concluded: “I will say that unless there are formal, public legal proceedings, we would not be naming the source of that noise. We will work with businesses or organisations in order to ensure that noise is reduced and that it goes away completely.

“Significant progress has been made and we will bring a report probably in June.”