Pyrite discovery to force demolition of 25 houses in Louth

A housing development under construction in Co Louth will have to be demolished following confirmation that all but one of the homes is contaminated with pyrite.

The 25-unit housing scheme is a partnership between North and East Housing Association and Louth County Council.

The alert was raised in April when the housing association’s technical staff noticed cracks in the walls of six of the houses at Moneymore in Drogheda.

A detailed examination found the cracks resulted from under-floor filling containing pyrite which caused the material to expand and cracked the block work.

The results of a second phase of tests have confirmed that a further 18 units have been contaminated with the mineral known as “fool’s gold” because of its colour.

Demolition has already begun on the first six homes and building contractor Andrews Construction and North and East Housing Association have agreed to knock down and rebuild all 25 units. The cost arising from the demolition and reconstruction will be borne by the builder and their supplier.

The need to demolish and rebuild will mean a further nine-month delay for those on the council housing list hoping to secure one of the units.

“We had hoped to deliver the 25 houses in November 2014 but it will now be August 2015,” said Breege Dolan, acting chief executive of the association.