Over 1,000 people expected to attend pyrite meeting in Ballina

Over 1,000 people are expected to be in attendance at a public meeting at 7pm on April 15 in the Great National Hotel, Ballina held by the North Mayo Pyrite Group on behalf of those impacted by defective concrete products.

The Group recently met on March 26 and have collated all priority issues around the defective concrete block scheme. These have been shared with locally elected representatives, who will be invited to attend the upcoming public meeting.

"We have invited all of our local public representatives to attend including TD’s, MEPs and Councillors. We will be asking them to confirm their commitment for the thousands directly and indirectly impacted by this crisis. Two failed schemes is a failure too far. This needs to be resolved now,” said Martina Hegarty from the North Mayo Pyrite Group.

Barbara Clinton, whose home is on the verge of being demolished in the next two weeks, said the previous meeting made it clear action is needed.

“It was heartbreaking to see the faces of all of those impacted pleading for help including pensioners and those caring for the vulnerable in our community. They need action,” she said.

Julie Tracey, a resident of an estate in Ballina impacted by pyrite, said those affected live in constant fear of health and safety repercussions.

“Boundary walls in our estates are a major health and safety issue and we dread a wall falling and injuring one of our children. They play there every day, and my heart stops every time I see a child near a wall”.

The meeting on March 26 heard from frustrated homeowners who felt the scheme is failing at both local and national level and felt there is a lack of resources to deal with scheme applications. Currently, one staff member is assigned to administer the 400 applications received to date.

“We are in an election year, and we should not need to wait for a new government to deliver for our county,” said Martina Hegarty.

“We have very capable TDs that have delivered for our county before. We are asking them to have the courage to deliver for our county again. Our colleagues in Donegal have created a people’s document, which we endorse. However, we need priority changes now rather than waiting two years for new legislation.”