Clawback clause remains on rebuilt pyrite homes in Mayo estate

MAYO County Council still has a clawback option on some houses in Westport that have been knocked and rebuilt due to pyrite.

Pairc na Coille was constructed as an affordable housing scheme, with a clawback if properties were sold on.

That still exists despite numerous home owners having to knock and rebuild, at significant cost, due to defective concrete blocks.

Now, local Fianna Fáil Councillor Brendan Mulroy has accused the local authority of letting the residents down, saying the council should have stepped in a lot more for them.

And he appealed to the council to step up and do something for the people in Pairc na Coille, 'even at this late stage'.

Councillor Mulroy said it had been left to the elected representatives to try and find homes for people as they rebuilt.

It had been difficult for people, nearing the end of their mortgages and then discovering they have pyrite.

They are a fantastic community, he commented, who have helped each other out.

There was also the question of when the issue became known, he said, adding that there are legal proceedings being taken.

It is an 'awful situation', both mentally and financially, for those people, Councillor Johnny O'Malley stated.

He spoke of one resident who is ill and cannot afford to knock and rebuild her home. She has shown him the cracks, and her bedroom was impossible to heat.

People, he said, need more help.

* Published under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme