Westport homeowner to feature on TG4 programme on pyrite and mica scandal

A Westport homeowner Linda Claxton, who was left over €90,000 out of pocket after accessing the pyrite redress scheme, will appear on a TG4 programme this Wednesday evening. 

The latest episode of Iniúcadh TG4 examines the pyrite and mica scandal, which has afflicted thousands of homeowners predominantly throughout Mayo and Donegal. 

Hundreds of houses in Mayo have been condemned by pyrite, including Linda Claxton, from Páirc na Coille in Westport, who has spoken out publicly on a number of occasions about the costs she has had to incur from rebuilding her house. 

Ms Claxton is one of several homeowners in Páirc na Coille who have tested positive for pyrite since purchasing their houses as part of an affordable housing scheme. 

She was awarded €193,333 under the scheme, but after certain costs were deducted, she said he was left with €140,000 to build a new home, and ended up spending €90,000 of her own money to bridge the cost.

“This is a horrendous journey. I don’t envy anyone coming behind me having to do this. I have put 90,000 euro towards this. I went to banks to ask for a loan and was refused. In the end my partner got a loan for me,” Ms Claxton said ahead of Wednesday’s programme. 

Páirc na Coille became the subject of public controversy after Mayo County Council authorised the sale of houses in the estate after at least one house in the estate had tested positive for pyrite. 

According to scientist Dr Andreas Leemann from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials and Science Technology, who was interviewed by Iniúcadh TG4, the‘ best solution for the heavily affected homes is total demolition’. 

According to Dr Leemann, who carried out a forensic analysis on blocks from infected homes in Donegal and Mayo as part of international research being managed by Geological Survey Ireland, the existence of the mineral pyrrhotite is the real cause of defective blocks, not mica or pyrite which have traditionally been blamed.

“Mica is very easy to spot in the aggregates and probably this led to the assumption that mica is responsible for the deterioration of the blocks. This is nonsense of course. The problem is caused by pyrrhotite in the blocks and it starts to oxidise or rust. When pyrrhotite rusts, it releases sulphur in the form of sulphuric acid, and this causes internal sulphate attack. It’s a natural reaction that occurs so your blocks are expanding. At an advanced stage of the reaction the concrete crumbles and you can take it apart by hand,” said Dr Leeman.

Iniúcadh TG4 will broadcast on Wednesday, November 6 on TG4 and TG4.ie at 21.30pm.