An inspection is due to be carried out in the coming weeks at Cassidy’s Quarry as part of legal action over the defective concrete blocks scandal.
Experts have gained permission to take and test samples from the quarry at the heart of the crisis.
The inspection forms part of several lead cases in the High Court seeking compensation outside of the defective concrete blocks redress scheme. The action is spearheaded by Coleman Legal, who have thousands of additional cases included in a multi-party action, which will be determined by the ongoing lead cases.
Coleman Legal say there have been negotiations for many months in relation to access and the method that will be used to sample and test the rock in Cassidy’s quarry itself.
The sampling of the stone in a comprehensive way is a complex process and requires a lot of geological, technical and logistical input.
Coleman Legal are also in the process of agreeing on tests to be carried out on each of the lead Plaintiffs’ homes, also due to begin in the next few weeks, starting with one of the lead cases.
“We have reached a point where Defences have been received by the defendants in the two “pathfinder” cases which are listed in the Commercial Court and the other four lead cases are following close behind,” the firm said in an update to homeowners. All of the other cases in the group are on hold pending the outcome of the lead cases.
Meanwhile, those affected by the defective concrete blocks issue have been asked to join a mass complaint to the European Commission.
The complaint, while separate from the ongoing High Court legal action, aims to bring attention to the consequences of the State’s shortcomings and the need for immediate action.
The complaint references multiple EU regulations that the Irish State has allegedly failed to adhere to, resulting in severe structural damage to homes and buildings in Donegal and other affected counties.
Furthermore, the complaint addresses breaches of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, including Article 2 (right to life), Article 3 (right to integrity of the person), as well as impacts on the right to property and family life.
So far almost 2,000 people have signed the campaign and more are being encouraged to support their fellow homeowners.
The online form for participation can be accessed through the following link:
https://j9h39eac349.typeform.com/to/HhnSJ4k4?typeform-source=us5.admin.mailchimp.com
Defective Blocks Ireland CLG, is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Buncrana businessmen Adrian Sheridan and Shaun Hegarty.
