{
  "id": 5248790,
  "title": "EPA investigating noise complaints at Dublin data centre",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/epa-investigating-noise-complaints-at-dublin-data-centre",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T05:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0903/1590132-noise-clondalklin-dublin/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Environmental Protection Agency is currently investigating noise complaints originating from a new data centre in Clondalkin, west Dublin. The operator of the Echelon DUB10 data centre claims it has implemented mitigation measures and is continuing to investigate the issue. Complaints first emerged in late July when residents living near the data centre began hearing a persistent humming noise, primarily at night but also during the day. Aaron Jeffrey, a resident about 2.5 kilometres from the data centre, said he initially thought the noise was from his home but later realized it was originating from the data centre. The low-frequency hum is so intrusive that it penetrates through any material, making it difficult, if not impossible, to block out. Residents have resorted to using earplugs and altering their living arrangements to mitigate the noise. Echelon Data Centres stated that after receiving complaints, they commissioned external acoustic consultants and removed a generator used by contractors out of hours. However, noise complaints persisted, and the company is currently conducting a new investigation on the site, which is still under construction and not yet fully operational. The company expects to have a preliminary analysis of a noise recording before the end of the week, which will be compared against onsite data gathered by the company. Echelon Data Centres emphasizes its commitment to environmental and community responsibilities. This issue follows a data centre awareness campaign in Kildare County, where a community group expressed concerns about the rapid proliferation of data centres in the area and called for greater transparency and control over the region's development.",
  "summary": "An investigation is under way by the Environmental Protection Agency into complaints about noise emitting from a new data centre in Clondalkin in west Dublin.",
  "key_points": [
    "EPA investigating noise complaints at Dublin data centre.",
    "Residents report persistent humming noise, primarily at night.",
    "Echelon Data Centres conducting new investigation, expects preliminary analysis by week's end."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The EPA's investigation into noise complaints at Dublin's Echelon DUB10 data centre puts pressure on the operator to address persistent disruptions affecting nearby residents and validate its environmental commitments.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "EPA investigating noise complaints at Dublin data centre",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/epa-investigating-noise-complaints-at-dublin-data-centre-5262322",
        "published": "2026-09-03T05:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}