Families forced to bleach mould-covered walls in defective concrete homes
A family living in a defective concrete house has been forced to cover walls with 'pure bleach' in an effort to reduce and prevent 'toxic black mould.'
Donegal County Councillor Joy Beard told this week's Defective Concrete Block Committee that she was recently contacted by a council tenant, who is living in a 'mould-ridden home.'
The 100% Redress Party councillor outlined how the woman told her that one bedroom is 'very bad.'
"Once she gets the whole room cleaned it starts again, almost immediately.
"She works full time and is living with long-term health conditions and her partner is on disability. Despite constantly cleaning walls and ceilings, the mould keeps coming back."
Cllr Beard said that Donegal County Council has attempted maintenance works and the tenant has been told her house is 'one of the worst' for mould.
Cllr Beard added: "She told me something quite distressing, in that she is having to pour pure bleach on the walls to try and stop the mould which, itself, causes problems for sleeping in that room at night.
"This is reality - just think about that "People shouldn't have to cover their walls in bleach, which is toxic, to get the black mould away.
"I genuinely don't know what's worse for that family, they're asking me for advice - do you continue with the bleach or the mould?
"I think that's a tragic situation. Try sleeping in a room with toxic mould. I've never heard the likes of it."
Cllr Beard described the defective concrete crisis as a 'public health' and 'mental health issue.'
She outlined how the woman's home is also deteriorating, with gable walls 'ready to fall away any day'.
"She is waiting on barriers to be installed, because of the risk of falling masonry. These homes are unsafe and unhealthy."
Cllr Beard was speaking amid a wider discussion on the call for a defective concrete social housing remediation scheme, which has yet to be opened by the Government.
"Here we are, in July 2026, with no scheme in place and these homes are getting worse by the week.
Cllr Beard revealed that she has been invited to homes and 'won't step inside them as they're too bad to do so."
"I can't stress how urgent it is that we get this scheme. Even if was announced today, it will be another six months down the line before anything happens."
Cllr Beard accused the Government of 'not listening.'
"I don't know how we make them listen to this problem. They do realise. I've emailed them photos and they know the situation in Donegal.
"I can't believe we're sitting here today with no scheme in place.
"Families are living in homes that are mould ridden and deteriorating before their very eyes."
This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme