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 […]
100% Redress Party calls on Council to provide assistance during storms
The 100% Redress Party has called on Donegal County Council to make provisions for families living in defective concrete homes, in the event of further severe weather. Last month Storm Isha wreaked havoc on the county leaving many defective block homeowners in fear living in crumbling homes. In a statement the 100% Redress Party said: […]
Only 43 defective block homeowners receive full payment
ONLY 43 homeowners in Donegal affected by the defective blocks crisis have been able to receive a full payment for remediation works in the first three years of the redress scheme. Last year the amended defective blocks redress scheme was launched but campaigners say it is still not working and will leave families in debt. […]
Canadian and Irish experts meet on defective concrete
International experts on concrete joined local academics and affected householders in a workshop in Derry to discuss delays and barriers in Ireland’s defective concrete block scheme. Delegates heard how the two different countries handled the crisis and remediation. Inishowen-based academics, Dr Eileen Doherty and Professor Paul Dunlop, both from Ulster University, recently welcomed Michel Pigeon […]
New sub-group set up to look at mortgageability of defective block homes ‘long overdue’
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty said the new sub-group set up to examine issues relating to the mortgageability of homes remediated under the defective concrete blocks scheme is “long overdue and must deliver results for homeowners”. Speaking today, the Donegal TD said this new sub-group must include homeowners and key stakeholders on a […]
Family living in defective block home plan move to Australia
by Louise Doyle A FAMILY whose home is crumbling due to defective blocks have told of how they have defaulted on their mortgage repayments for the first time and plan to make a new life in Australia next month. The family say they have flights, accommodation and employment lined up in Australia for January. Advertisement Posting […]
Local business man hoping his good deed will trigger a “domino effect”
By Dionne Meehan A KINDHEARTED Letterkenny businessman has offered to clean ten houses with defective blocks for free this Christmas. Peter Blake, founder of Peadar Jim’s Cleaning Services, has been in business for the past nine years offering services such as power-washing and guttering throughout the North West. Advertisement On his travels, Peter has witnessed […]
MEPs visit Donegal to examine defective block crisis
A DELEGATION of four Irish and four international MEPs are in Donegal this week to see first hand the devastation caused by defective building materials here and the impact it has had on householders. The eight will then meet with the Minister for Housing in Dublin before a complete report is compiled for the EU […]
‘Your heart has to go out to anyone with mica’ – Cllr Martin Farren
By Diarmaid Doherty ONE of the first local politicians to raise the issue of mica when it first became a topic of concern says his heart goes out to those who are having to deal with the financial and personal stress that goes with having a home with defective blocks. Cllr. Martin Farren told last […]
Appeal for premises to facilitate face to face mica counselling
by Louise Doyle AN organisation rolling out free online counselling in Donegal for those impacted by defective blocks is calling on healthcare facilities with spaces available to rent to make contact in order to offer face-to- face sessions. MyMind is extending free counselling, psychotherapy and psychological support sessions to those whose homes have been damaged by the use of concrete containing […]