PROMINENTLY displayed on a wall in the foyer of each block in our complex is a framed copy of the house rules. Thirteen concise paragraphs outline the various stipulations with which all residents are expected to comply. The document lays down the of"cial management position on a variety of issues including security, vandalism and noise. Paragraph 14 warns that any breach of the rules will result in a 100 "ne being imposed against the owner of the apartment. The document is signed by a member of the management company.

Given its strategical position, it would be impossible for anyone living here to be unaware of this notice. However, choosing to ignore the importance of its content seems an easy and popular option with some residents.

When irate residents do resort to ringing the management agents, very often it's to complain about noisy neighbours. In fact, the very "rst paragraph in the house rules document states: "All stereo, radio and TV appliances must be kept at a volume which does not interfere with your neighbours' quiet enjoyment of their homes. No noise should be audible outside apartments between 11pm and 9am."

In the light of a few personal experiences, I believe the profile of the typical transgressor in this particular regard is an inebriated male who's renting his apartment.

It's not unusual, particularly at weekends, to hear the night-time silence shattered by an explosion of high-decibel sound caused by some drunk suddenly deciding to crank up the volume on his stereo system.

Of"cially, most management agents advise against making a personal approach . . . knocking on the noisy neighbour's door and making a reasoned appeal to turn the volume down. Ringing the gardai is standard advice.

This approach though isn't always satisfactory. An early-morning call complaining of noisy neighbours is unlikely to be logged as high priority at the local garda station. By the time an of"cer does arrive, the offender may very well have fallen into a drunken stupor. Or, when questioned, he may adopt a reasoned manner, apologising for his unintentionally inconsiderate behaviour and immediately unplug his hi-". Then, when the squad car disappears, the noise may very well recommence, perhaps at a vengefully louder volume.

Here's a cautionary tale to illustrate the point. Sometime after 3am one recent Sunday morning, one of several stressed residents, discommoded by unremittingly loud music and boisterous activity in the penthouse apartment on the top "oor of one of the blocks, phoned the local garda station to complain.

Residents had to endure a further hour of ear-splitting sound before a squad car "nally arrived. The four male offenders presented a remorseful demeanour to the of"cer, who requested them to consider their neighbours and wind up the party. The noise abated immediately and the gardai left.

Half an hour later the glass panel over the emergency "re alarm button was smashed on every one of the block's six floors, immediately sounding the alarm. Straightaway, the occupants of all 30 apartments . . . some of them young children . . .were obliged to vacate their homes.

"There were mothers there with frightened children they'd had to wake from their beds . . . it was disgraceful, " one resident told me.

The "re brigade's prompt response to what was, of course, a false alarm was appreciated, but residents must now cough up a callout charge. Garda of"cers did question the four penthouse residents who, to no one's surprise, feigned umbrage at any suggestion that they might have been responsible for the act of wanton vandalism. No one was charged with any offence and the matter has already been dropped.