by Louise Doyle
HUNDREDS of people took to their feet in a rousing standing ovation on Monday night to thank tireless and relentless 100 per cent redress campaigner Paddy Diver.
It was standing room only in An Grianan Hotel in Burt, where the gravity of day-to-day life for families living in homes with defective concrete blocks and those otherwise affected was laid bare.
Hundreds attended, answering a rallying call by campaigners to put their voice to what a full 100 per cent redress scheme should be. Their feedback will be incorporated into ‘The Peoples’ Document’, and will be be sent to every political party and politician for their response.
The meeting was delayed from starting at 7pm as gardaí had to be called to help with the traffic, such was the incredible turnout.
Minutes before the meeting got underway, Mr Diver carried in stools from the foyer of the hotel into the ‘Tuatha De Danann’ function room for those frail and elderly to have a seat.
The room’s 350-capacity was significantly in excess of its limit, with many people also standing in the hotel’s foyer.
Mr Diver is one homeowner whose life has been forced on hold because of defective concrete blocks.
A relatively unknown figure until a few years ago, the Donegal man has become a powerhouse, both locally and nationally.
He took an ‘army’ of thousands of Donegal people to the streets of the country’s capital on October 8, 2021 to demand 100 per cent redress for all those affected by defective concrete blocks.
The meeting heard how Mr Diver has ‘saved many lives’ by answering early morning calls from distressed and concerned defective concrete block homeowners.
Speaking at the outset of Monday night’s gathering, Mr Diver said he was “sick” of those in government claiming defective concrete block homeowners already have a 100 per cent redress scheme.
“We wouldn’t have this crowd in here tonight if we had 100 per cent. The fact is, there are too many people being left behind. Most of us in here all worked away to get our house built. Some people worked away over in America and they have their house three-quarters built and now they can’t get finishing (it).”
Mr Diver said “there should be no-one left behind” in 100 per cent redress, adding that The Peoples’ Document is about ensuring full justice for all affected by defective concrete blocks.
“We’re here tonight so that everyone can have their input because there are so many different circumstances,” he said.
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