Dublin High Court legal action open to Derry defective blocks victims

A Buncrana businessman and co-founder of the Defective Blocks Ireland group has encouraged homeowners in the North of Ireland affected by defective blocks and concrete to consider joining an ongoing legal case in the Republic of Ireland.

Defective Blocks Ireland is a not-for-profit organisation. It is currently funding a “landmark” High Court legal case on behalf of over 1600 homeowners whose homes have been impacted by defective concrete blocks in Donegal. 

Speaking to Derry Now, Shaun Hegarty said homeowners in Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh, with defective blocks in their houses should consider joining the case.

Mr Hegarty added: “Last month, Dublin law firm Coleman Legal, on behalf of Defective Blocks Ireland, served more than 1,400 writs in the High Court on behalf of homeowners. 

“The cases are against Cassidy Brothers’ Quarry, Donegal County Council and the National Standards Authority of Ireland. The landmark legal case is seeking compensation on behalf of homeowners on the shortfall of payment outside of the defective concrete blocks grant scheme established by the Irish Government. 

“Just like Donegal homeowners, many homeowners in Northern Ireland are finding themselves in the position of having discovered their homes have been built with defective concrete blocks from Donegal.

“There are also many people who have holiday homes in Donegal that are affected by defective concrete blocks. 

“At the moment there is nothing in place in Northern Ireland should your home test positive for deleterious materials, there is no planned grant scheme or funding to assist homeowners. If you are one of these homeowners then you should get in touch with us. If you have tested your home and discovered levels of pyrite and pyrrhotite then there is a facility for you to join the High Court legal action in the Republic,” said Mr Hegarty.

Shaun Hegarty added that there was no cost for an affected homeowner to join the case.

He said: “In addition, all legal costs are being funded by the Defective Blocks Ireland group, funded by Buncrana businessmen Adrian Sheridan and myself.

“We would encourage homeowners in Northern Ireland to get in touch with the team at Coleman Legal in Dublin by emailing defectiveblocks@coleman legal.ie.”