Suspected pyrite found in at least six Co Carlow buildings

SIX CASES of suspected pyrite have been reported in Co Carlow to date according to the county’s chief executive.

Coilín O’Reilly confirmed that six property owners have made contacted with Carlow County Council indicated that their own surveyors had detected pyrite, however he said these properties will now need to be independently verified. “The agency has appointed an engineer and inspections will begin, each case will be independently assessed,” Mr O’Reilly told last week’s meeting of Carlow County Council.

Mr O’Reilly advised anyone who suspected their building had pyrite to contact the county’s acting chief fire officer.

Pyrite is a mineral found in the ground and in rocks, which are excavated from quarries and used in building blocks. The mineral cause defects in building blocks, which lead to cracks and other problems in buildings and homes constructed with the defective blocks.

Cllr Charlie Murphy raised the issue, stating there were “a number of confirmed cases” in the county. He stated that people were “very upset about the issue” yet “Carlow has been very quite on this and I don’t know why it’s been so silent but it needs to be highlighted”.

Cllr Murphy suggested he was the only councillor to receive representations on the matter, however when the matter was opened the floor, several councillors stated they too had received representations from people whose property had fallen victim to pyrite. “I know of suspected pyrite cases and quite a few people who have been tested. We need to outline the proper procedure,” insisted cllr Tommy Kinsella.

“Can I add my voice to this too, there is a number of suspected cases in Tullow town,” said cllr Will Paton. “It is an important issues and I hope there is a speedy resolution to it and I join in calling for an update,” said cllr Daniel Pender, who stated he too had been contacted on the matter.