Mica Crisis

Welcome back to the fourth episode of the Better Peace Podcast, presented by Olivia and Nicole. This episode hits close to home for some of us- today we are in Letterkenny, Donegal to talk about the Mica crisis. If you haven’t heard of Mica, don’t worry, you’re not alone! Some of the members of our group had no idea about the crisis, and that’s why we’re here to learn more about it.

Our first guest, Joe MacBride, explains to us what Mica is, and how it’s affecting countless families across Donegal and the Republic of Ireland. Mica is a defective material used in housing blocks, primarily produced in Donegal. The material absorbs moisture, and over time causes housing blocks to crumble, leaving homeowners with worthless and even hazardous properties. Joe has personal experience of living in a house with Mica- he elaborates on the challenges to daily life for him and his family. 

“It’s one of the proudest moments of your life when you get your keys to that house… it’s just a nightmare to discover… your house is going to collapse. It takes a toll.”

Homeowners like Joe are often faced with total demolition of their home, with little support to rebuild. 

“The government have had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the table.”

“They’re still paying a mortgage on a house that is crumbling before their eyes.”

  Joe went on to talk about the toll this crisis has taken on young people, affecting their mental health, their schooling and their prospects as future home buyers.  

Next, we spoke to some young people from across Donegal who have been affected by Mica; we spoke to Erin, Ruby and Chloe (our resident Podcaster!). They spoke to us about the huge impact Mica has had on them whilst sitting their Leaving Cert.

“All of that is stressful enough and it makes it a hard enough environment, and if you whack a crumbling house on top of it, it makes it impossible to study.”

They spoke about the health impacts of Mica, as mould becomes a recurring problem, resulting in respiratory problems. They also reflected on the mental health impact that the crisis has had on them and their families, many of whom have lived in these houses all their lives. 

“A home isn’t just four walls made of bricks… it’s more than just a house, it’s a home. The memories that were made and the families that were raised is what makes a home.” 

Next, we spoke to another homeowner who has been affected by Mica. She explained how the crisis has impacted not only her finances, but the huge administrative burden it has put on her and her family. Work to rebuild has only begun now, after four years of cutting through red tape. She has young children who have been put under serious stress, despite her best attempts to shield them from the situation. 

“I don’t want to knock down the house, you can use my communion money to fix it.”

Finally, we spoke to Trisha, Deputy Chair of the Mica Action Group. They are working alongside the newly elected Redress Party in Donegal and countless families across Donegal who have been impacted by Mica. She explains the huge issues inherent to the government redress scheme; many families are expected to front the costs of rebuilding their homes, whilst others are offered only partial repairs, even though the entire house will eventually crumble. 

“The 100% redress being offered is a myth…and local people are buying into that myth."

A huge thank you to Jude Hill (Mitchell) and Alan Meban for the production and editing of the Podcast. Another massive thanks to Aoibha Mallon for the amazing podcast soundtrack and finally to our funders. Project supported by the International Fund for Ireland (Our Peace, Our Future fund) and the National Lottery Community Fund NI (Empowering Young People programme).