‘We are drowning and the government is standing on the pier with life jackets and they won’t give us them’
Thousands of people are expected to attend a protest tomorrow calling for full redress for Mica-affected homeowners. The Mica Protest is set to take place tomorrow, Friday October 8th at the Garden of Remembrance at Parnell Square, Dublin at 12 noon.
The protest aims to put pressure on the government, which could end up footing a bill for an estimated €3.2bn (£2.7bn).
The houses in question were made of blocks weakened by use of mica, and as a consequence many are at risk of collapse.
Over 4,000 houses are believed to be affected by the issue across counties Donegal and Mayo. Some 7,000 people have been devastatingly impacted by the mica scandal, which has caused their walls to “crumble like Weetabix.”
Homeowners hit by the devastating scandal are set to reject the government compensation scheme unless it offers to cover 100% of their costs.
Mica campaigners say the prospect of dream homes being demolished is driving people to feel suicidal and causing families to break up, and that thousands of people could be left homeless in rural Ireland.
“We are drowning and the government is standing on the pier with life jackets and they won’t give us them,” said Paddy Diver, a prominent campaigner and, one of the founders of the 100% Redress campaign group and owner of a defective house in one of the worst affected areas in County Donegal.
A poster <https://twitter.com/PaddyDiver4/status/1446022666272624641/photo/1> promoting Friday’s protest reads: “Go BIG or go HOMEless” and says that “The Mica Protest is a PEACEFUL Protest.”
Taking to Twitter earlier today, key campaigner Paddy Diver of Mica Action Group wrote: “Have you booked your seat on the bus to Dublin yet? If not, then why not? Folks this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to stand tall and make Donegal be heard on the streets of Dublin. We cannot be the forgotten country forever. Make them remember! #MicaProtest #MicaRedress”
“You’ve listened to the Government run their mouth long enough…will you march to Dublin to demand they listen to you?” he added.
Diver also retweeted a message from a teacher at Loreto Community School in Milford, Co. Donegal, which read:
“Students and staff @LoretoMillford taking a stand in support for the many Mica sufferers within our school, local community and greater catchment area. So many impacted and will be in Dublin this Friday for #MicaProtest demanding #MicaRedress 100% No Less!”
Those supporting the campaign stormed Twitter on Wednesday to drum up awareness of the high-profile protest using the hashtags #MicaRedress and #MicaProtest
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday evening, Diver thanked those who helped to promote the campaign: “Shout out to everyone who participated in today’s Twitter Storm. And also a big thank you to everyone who has tweeted since the beginning of all this. Where would we be without you all? Cheers.”
Preparations for Friday’s highly publicised protest comes as Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien this week promised to legally pursue those who knowingly supplied mica-affected building blocks from quarries.
Despite this assurance, Mr O’Brien failed to answer in the Dáil on Wednesday when asked if such contaminated construction products had continued to be supplied since 2012, when the problem was noticed.
Mr O’Brien said: “Those who are responsible for wrongdoing in my view should be held accountable.”
But he added some problems only came to light 30 years after the homes were built. Proposals for enhanced compensation for homeowners will be brought to Government in coming days, the TD said.
Mr O’Brien also stated that new rules surrounding product standards would need to be established thereafter. He said the Government had a moral responsibility to homeowners “but legally there are others who are responsible.”
“We have to look at the statute of limitations. We have to learn the lessons of the past,” he said.
The statute of limitations “may start from the day that one receives independent verification of a defect, as opposed to when someone believes there may be a problem.” Minister O’Brien also said that there was provision for a levy on supplier companies under a 2012 Act, but it was never undertaken.
“I’m looking at all options, but they will not change what I plan to do with the scheme,” he added.
“I think we’ve got to pursue (wrongdoers) and I’ve actually said that to homeowners who are very anxious that those who are responsible are pursued.
“I intend to do that as best I can legally, on behalf of the State,” he said.
Limerick Independent TD Richard O’Donoghue asked how many quarries that had pyrite in their blocks had ceased making them since it was discovered in 2012 – but Mr O’Brien did not answer his question.
Mr O’Donoghue warned that there was a home insurance issue for affected homeowners, going forward, arguing that the State cannot be liable for excessive insurance policies on their houses.
Minister O’Brien acknowledged there were issues around insurance, and around the certification of work done in repair.
“It should be certified that the work is done to a standard that one can claim and get insurance again,” he said.
“We’ve made progress in that space. I intend to bring that forward as one of my recommendations (to the Government),” he said.
He added that he would be proposing the allowance of recourse to the compensation scheme a second time, should that be required.
“Once the revised scheme is published there will be more work, also around standards and how we can help people as best we can,” Mr O’Brien said.
A safe home is all we ask for our children#micaredress pic.twitter.com/VDu7nFefVY
— Sharon Moore (@SharonM12237881) October 6, 2021
All set for Dublin 8th October. Huge thank you to @BizzPrintLK for the signs free of charge. If anyone is looking for signs for tomorrow get down to @BizzPrintLK. Logo2Go still have hats, masks, etc. #micaredress #mica #MicaProtest @PaddyDiver4 @micaactiongroup @crumblinghomes pic.twitter.com/kkhUtGloDq
— Nicola McPartland (@NicMcPartland) October 7, 2021
Is my twittering ALL about #micaredress at the minute?
Damn right it is.Too many of my friends & family are devastated by this.
We will not stop until our government do what they MUST do; to lead & to protect.
We will stand strong, unlike these blasted blocks.#micaredress
— Maria Rushe (Rushe Fitness) (@MariaRushe_) October 6, 2021
He wants to be ‘an inventor’ when he grows up & invent homes that don’t have cracks & lasts as long as a castle. #MicaRedress #8Oct @paddydiver4 Go Big Or Go Homeless pic.twitter.com/5OSEihcO81
— Deesey (@Dee_Gee2021) October 6, 2021
Children should not have to worry about loosing their homes 💔 #micaredress #MicaProtest pic.twitter.com/oOrxtzIrTm
— libbyJaki 100% REDRESS (@LizJaki) October 6, 2021