Mayo council 'morally and legally' obliged to support pyrite estate residents

A WESTPORT councillor has called for an inquiry into a west Mayo housing estate where houses are being 'knocked left, right and centre' due to the presence of pyrite.

A number of houses in the Páirc na Coille housing estate in Westport are currently being rebuilt after they were knocked down due to pyrite contamination in the concrete blocks. The estate was built 20 years ago as an affordable housing scheme by Mayo County Council and the housing body Respond.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council, Cllr Brendan Mulroy demanded that the local authority carry out an inquiry into the estate to get to the root of the problem'.

“I would ask the chief executive to initiate an investigation into Pairc na Coille as a standalone estate so we can get some sort of closure for the people involved. To be fair the people have been left high and dry by the Government and the council. They have got no support whatsoever when they need support,” he said.

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The majority of the houses in Páirc na Coille were confirmed to have pyrite and it was revealed that Mayo County Council accrued a ‘clawback’ of €71,939 from the sale of four units sold in the estate since 2017, one of which was sold in late 2020.

Cllr Mulroy commented that some of the units which were sold have now been built and questioned if the claw back will go back to houses which are being rebuilt. He said people's health was suffering because of the worry of having to rebuild houses and 'morally and legally' they had to be supported.

“I cannot stand idly by and watch people at the bottom of the ladder in serious financial trouble and in serious ill-health going through a disaster and seeing your house gone. And still knowing the council has a claw back on that bit of fresh air where there is no house.

“The council handed the keys to these people in 1999 but the people of Páirc na Coille deserve respect and answers. We should be looking after the people who were given houses by this council. It does call for an inquiry into what happened from day one because the situation is getting worse. 

“Every house in that estate will have to be rebuilt and it beggars belief that the council will say they have a claw back on those houses. Morally and legally we need to do something to stand up for those people,” he said.

He was supported in his call by other councillors in the Westport area but in response Chief Executive Kevin Kelly said that a report into what happened was provided and residents have been given the opportunity to speak to the council about their situation. He added that the council has supported residents in dealing with the Department and in rebuilding their homes.