Press Release November 18 2014
DONEGAL HOMEOWNERS MAKE EMOTIONAL PLEA FOR GOV INQUIRY INTO DEFECTIVE BUILDING BLOCKS
For Immediate Release 18th November 2014
There were tearful and emotional scenes during Monday night’s first public meeting held in An Grianan Hotel, Burt, on the issue of defective building blocks in Donegal – organised by the Mica Action Group which is campaigning for a redress scheme from the government to help affected homeowners.
The highly-charged meeting included personal testimonies from affected homeowners – including from Karl Murtagh from Convoy who received a standing ovation from the 350 strong audience and political representatives in attendance (which included Minister Joe Mc Hugh: Fine Gael, TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Sinn Féin, TD Charlie Mc Conalogue: Fianna Fáil, TD Thomas Pringle: Independent and Councillor Martin Farren, M.C.C., Labour) as he recounted his personal story and the devastating impact it is having on his wife and 4 children. He spoke about how he and his wife are fearful for their own safety and that of their children due to the instability of their home as they approach the winter months. He told the attentive audience how his family now have had to close off half of the house downstairs as there is a real danger that one of the walls may collapse on them at any time.
“This is not easy with children running about – we can’t even let them play outside” he said. Mr Murtagh also pleaded with the political representatives to make every effort to help people like himself and other homeowners to get redress from the government to fix their home and to alleviate the ‘horror’ they are currently facing.
The Mica Action Group also presented key findings from the survey of affected homeowners they undertook in late summer 2014. Eileen Doherty, Advisor to the group said:
“Since the late summer of this year we have had 111 homeowners come forward and register. This number is also increasing on a daily basis.
“The findings also indicate that this issue is apparent in homes built from 1984 up to 2010 – covering a 26 year period. Indeed, with an average lag time of five years before cracking is noticed, this would suggest that cases may continue to be reported.
“In terms of geographic spread, we have had registrations from virtually every area in Inishowen, Letterkenny and the surrounding area, and even as far south as Laghey outside Donegal Town. These findings show that this is an issue covering a large part of the county over a very long time period.” Importantly Ms Doherty stressed that this survey is only a ‘snapshot’ and does not tell the full story. She went on to say “this is why we need a full investigation or inquiry by government to quantify the scale and fully understand the cause of this issue”.
Significantly, the findings also highlighted that 100% of respondents who had bought their homes – as well as 97% of homes which were self or contract built – specified the same block supplier used in the construction of these homes presenting with the characteristics of defective blocks. As such, Ms Doherty asked for “assurance from the political representatives here present that quality inspections have been carried on block suppliers in the county”. However, no assurance could be given by any political representative present on the night.
For further information on this public meeting please contact The Mica Action Group on micaactiongroup[at]outlook.ie or by telephone on 086 8648888
ENDS
Media enquiries to Eileen Doherty, Mica Action Group on 087 2910106 or email eileendoherty1972[at]gmail.com
