An expert team is set to gain access to Cassidy’s Quarry to analyse the quarry in relation to the mica scandal.
A legal agreement was reached to take samples from the quarry as part of the multi-party court action taken by Coleman Legal.
More than 1,400 writs have been lodged in the High Court by homeowners in Donegal seeking compensation outside of the defective concrete blocks redress scheme.
Homeowners in the case have learned this week that Cassidy Brothers Concrete Products Limited has agreed to give access to the quarry for sampling and testing of the rock in the quarry itself.
Parties are close to an agreement on the method of testing of the rock. The sampling of the stone in a comprehensive way is a complex process and requires a lot of geological, technical and logistical input.
The Commercial Court has indicated that there should only be one sampling event and the testing should be of the one sample taken, thus allowing for consistent results.
The sampling timeframe has been included in the case timetable, shortened by at least 12 months, to allow the lead cases to proceed through the Commercial Court of the High Court.
The cases are being filed against Cassidy Brothers, Donegal County Council and the National Standards Authority of Ireland. The plaintiffs’ legal costs are being privately funded by business interests in Donegal.
Coleman Legal has also confirmed significant progress has been made to eliminate the cost risk of €1,500 faced by homeowners should the case be lost. Electronic service of all High Court writs was agreed last week, cutting paperwork costs for the more than 1,400 homeowners who have lodged writs.
