Can my neighbour overlook my garden in Ireland?

Irish law does not give any property owner an absolute right to prevent being overlooked, and there is no statutory 'right to privacy' distance in the way some other jurisdictions define. However, overlooking is one of the recognised residential amenity considerations that planning authorities are required to assess whenever a proposal needs planning permission, particularly where new or altered upper-floor windows, balconies, decks or roof terraces would provide a direct view into a neighbouring garden.

Certain exempted development classes address overlooking indirectly. For example, some classes for extensions and structures set conditions about window positions or require particular treatments to first-floor windows facing a boundary, and elevated platforms such as raised decks or balconies are frequently excluded from exemption altogether or subject to stricter limits because of their potential to overlook neighbouring gardens.

Where a full planning application is required, the local authority's development plan and design guidance typically expect developers to avoid or mitigate direct overlooking of neighbouring private open space, using measures such as window positioning, obscure glazing, screening, or increased separation distances. A planning authority can refuse permission, or grant it subject to conditions (such as requiring opaque glazing or removing a balcony), specifically to address overlooking.