Peace of mind for mica-affected families

Two Inishowen community organisations, Insight Inishowen and Greencastle community centre, have developed an emergency plan called Peace of Mind for families affected by mica.

David Simpson, from Greencastle Community Centre said: "We want to help families who have to leave their homes suddenly due to deterioration from mica.

"They probably will not be allowed back in again. We have asked Donegal County Council for their emergency plans, but no one has come back to us. While families are waiting for the redress scheme to be finalised, their homes are deteriorating. The community wanted to do something positive and concrete to help.

"The plan has been sent to community organisations throughout Inishowen. The aim is to help organisations to identify resources that would be useful in an emergency, such as temporary accommodation, transport, helpers and access to food and clothing.

"I heard one mother say, My biggest fear was waking up at night and realising I had thrown out something that I shouldn't have," said David.

Part of Peace of Mind for families affected by mica, is to encourage them to gather together valuables, these will include things that are important to them, for sentimental reasons, things that remind them of who they are.

David said: "We suggest they put them into appropriate storage and leave them with family or friends.

"Families are encouraged to gather important documents, like passports, drivers licences, birth and marriage certificates, lists of medicines and insurance policies. These can be photocopied at the local community centre and the originals can also be put in safe storage and left with family or friends.

"One mother has said: 'It got so bad that I had to get friends to do the packing, I couldn't even be in the room. The greater the stress, the harder it is to think straight.'

"We are hoping that acting on some or all of the plan ahead of time will give the families the chance of some much needed peace of mind," said David.