My neighbor's hedge blocks my light. What are my rights under Irish law?

What the Law Says

Unlike England and Wales, Ireland has no common law or statutory 'right to light' for private dwellings. There is no automatic entitlement to natural light across a boundary. The primary legal mechanism addressing problematic hedges is Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2009, which empowers local authorities to investigate complaints about 'high hedges' — defined as a line of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs over 2 metres in height that form a barrier to light or views and adversely affect the reasonable enjoyment of a residential property. The Act applies only to hedges on residential land, not commercial or agricultural land, and requires the complainant to demonstrate substantial interference with enjoyment (e.g., loss of daylight affecting habitability, safety, or well-being), not mere aesthetic or preference-based concerns.

Practical Steps

Before contacting your local authority, you must first try to resolve the issue informally with your neighbour — document all attempts (e.g., dated letters or emails). If unresolved, submit a formal complaint to your local authority using their prescribed form (available online); include photographs, measurements, and evidence of impact (e.g., light meter readings are not required but may support your case). The council will assess whether the hedge meets the statutory definition and whether interference is unreasonable. If they issue a remedial notice, your neighbour has 28 days to comply (e.g., by trimming height or thinning foliage); non-compliance may lead to enforcement and fines. Either party may appeal the council’s decision to the District Court within 28 days.

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