First pyrite-infected home in Westport demolished

A HOUSE in Westport has become the first home in the town to be demolished because of pyrite contamination.

The house in Páirc na Coille, owned by Linda Claxton, was demolished in less than an hour after work began at 8.30am this morning (Friday).

The Mayo News understands that several other houses in the Páirc na Coille estate will require demolition after testing positive for pyrite – a contaminant which causes building blocks to weaken and crumble.

Speaking to The Mayo News, Ms Claxton described watching her house being demolished as a ‘soul-destroying’ experience.

Although she has been accepted onto the government’s Defective Concrete Block Redress Scheme, Ms Claxton has estimated that she could still be liable for up to €100,000 to rebuild her home.

She has been offered a pause on her mortgage repayments but must still repay the interest.

“This shouldn’t be happening. It’s not fair that it’s happened, standing watching your house been knocked in front of you,” she said.

Ms Claxton has called on the government to act to ensure that homeowners availing of the pyrite redress aren’t liable for excessive costs.

Homeowners who have tested positive for pyrite are entitled to up €420,000 in redress, depending on the extent of the work required to rebuild the house.

Compensation is calculated based on a sliding scale, which has resulted in many homeowners being left with significant out-of-pocket expenses to rebuild their houses.

Speaking to The Mayo News, local county councillor Christy Hyland said it was ‘a sad day’ for Ms Claxton and her family, who lived in the house since 2003.

“It’s a sad day but hopefully it’s a new dawn for Linda and her family. My heart goes out to her for what she’s been through,” said Cllr Hyland, who was present at the demolition.

“There has to be a better way than putting the people through all this stress and trauma…it’s stressful enough to find out your house has pyrite, but then to have to go through all the bureaucracy. There has to be a better way.”

Responding to questions from this newspaper regarding the concerns of pyrite-affected homeowners earlier this year, Minister of State Dara Calleary said that the pyrite redress scheme would be kept under review.

For more, read Tuesday’s print edition of The Mayo News.