The new 100% Redress Party has called on Donegal County Council to provide refuge for families in unsafe defective concrete block homes during severe weather.
The recent storms Isha and Jocelyn left many residents terrified in their own homes, fearing that crumbling gables could collapse.
The 100% Redress Party, which is planning election bids this summer, has said that the council should do more to protect families.
“The Party cannot understand why, despite having prior notice of a red weather warning, the Council didn’t make provisions to open public buildings for terrified families to take refuge,” a statement said.
“A red status weather warning means a risk to life. Due to global warming, future storms are likely to become more severe. With people’s houses become less structurally sound due to defective concrete blocks, the risk of serious injury, or worse, is likely to increase.”
The Party is asking the Council to compile a database of homeowners and provide a text service to advise them when a weather alert is in place, and where to go to for safety.
Ali Farren, Public Relations Officer of the Party, explained: “As the storm raged, we had reports of terrified children having to be separated from their parents for safety. A parent told us that she moved her children from one side of the house to the “better side” as she was so terrified that the “bad gable” was going to come down. A pensioner contacted us saying that she was at home on her own and was traumatised by the sound of the wind battering against her crumbling walls. She felt the roof was going to come down on top of her as she lay in her bed. Sadly, homes are deteriorating rapidly and even on a normal weather day, families are living in fear.”
Tomas Devine, Chairman of the Party, commented: “We need the council to be more proactive in its thinking and develop an emergency plan for when the next severe weather event occurs. That’s why we need as many councillors as possible in the chamber from the 100% Redress Party.”
Joy Beard, Co-Founder of the Party, said: “I’m a homeowner and I was terrified, it was a scary night for everyone but to be in a defective block home during a status red weather warning was something I’ll never forget. I’m just relieved that everyone made it through unscathed, but I’m extremely worried about the next time. Will we be as lucky? Will it take a serious injury – or worse – before something is done about this disaster of a scheme that’s clearly not working.”
The Party is concerned that if applications are not fast tracked, and the grant scheme is not made more accessible, next winter houses will be in a lot worse condition. The Party is calling for emergency funding to be more accessible and funds released more quickly.
