In Ireland, concern grows over collapse of mica houses

Published on : 12/28/2021 – 4:42 PM

In recent years, residents of County Donegal, Ireland, have seen their homes collapse before their eyes. In question: mica, a material with which these homes were built twenty years ago and which turns into dust over time. Tired of seeing their houses crumble – a little more each day – residents have mobilized to demand compensation from the government.

The Mica Action Group, a collective of affected residents, estimates that at least 6,000 homes in County Donegal have been affected by the collapses. Neighboring counties are also affected, with around 10,000 houses damaged.

_{^{“I keep paying my mortgage … You think this is only one case}} _{^{? There are thousands like that … And families live there “, laments this resident in her tweet.}}

After the passage of storm Barra in early December, marked by strong winds and flooding, Paddy diver, one of the leaders of the protest movement against the use of mica, filmed a house in ruins (video below).

_{“Storm Barra may have been the news yesterday, but the reality of mica endures for all of us families. Overall, many homes have held on. […]. Here are a few homes that have stood up to the elements this week, ”Paddy Diver wrote in his tweet.}

Michael Doherty is a member of the Mica Action Group. He explains living in fear that his house will collapse on him and his family.

In the middle of the night you sometimes hear a crackle, and that crackle gets louder, and then it wakes you up immediately. You hope this crack is not adjacent to another existing crack. Because if they come together, you could have a disaster, and your wall and then your roof could collapse. We have children who can no longer sleep in their own bedroom. They want to sleep in their parents’ room.

I built my house a little over 20 years ago, and everything went well for the first seven or eight years. Then we started to notice cracks.

And we’re really, really worried as this winter approaches. We believe houses are going to collapse soon.

The government recently offered homeowners compensation that covers the cost of repairs. However, these reimbursements are capped, and those concerned have to pay tens of thousands of euros out of pocket.

The owners demand a reimbursement of repairs up to 100%, as well as a public inquiry to sanction the companies involved in these constructions.

On Monday, October 27, thousands of residents came to Dublin for the second time to protest against the government’s measures, which were deemed insufficient.

_{“My personal feat has been to take 30} ₀₀₀ _{people in Dublin TWICE, because of your inability to listen, “writes this resident.}

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