‘Our health is at risk’: Leitrim expectant couple battles severe mould in Council home

A Mohill couple expecting their first child has been struggling with severe mould problems in their one-bedroom council home for over a year, which they say has deeply impacted their mental and physical wellbeing.

Gary and Deborah first reported issues with mould to Leitrim County Council in August 2023. “We went on to be ignored a lot at start and sent more emails and photos to them and received email correspondence back saying “Noted, will inform maintenance,” Gary said.

Gary explained that he had been doing his best to address the mould and damp issues himself, but recognised that the severity of the problem would inevitably affect their health and daily living.

Gary and his fiancée Deborah both suffer with autoimmune conditions, which he says were exasperated by their harsh living conditions. The couple made frequent visits to their GP, who confirmed that the mould was causing their recurring illnesses.

“Myself and my partner started to notice changes in ourselves medically. We were congested a lot, sleep deprived, not eating properly, constantly getting chest infections, stomach issues, skin irritation and the list could go on.”

Gary stated that five GP letters were sent to Leitrim County Council but ignored.

Deborah, who is currently pregnant with their first child, continued to fall more and more ill. She developed eye issues from mould exposure and had to undergo injections to remedy it. 

In March of this year, Deborah became increasingly ill and bedridden until Gary discovered her unconscious and called an ambulance. 

Tests revealed a bacterial infection, though doctors could not confirm whether it was linked to the mould and damp issues.

Gary described how this experience left them both terrified, and they repeatedly reached out to Leitrim County Council for help.

A maintenance worker from the Council visited the property. “He made the whole thing look like nothing, that it was near enough normal but I can assure you there is nothing normal about it, so he said he would send someone out to have a look,” Gary said.

With help from Cllr Des Guckian, two Council staff visited the property in June and determined the best course of action was to send moisture control services, ‘DampMaster,’ to address the issue.

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Staff from DampMaster visited the house in July. “They couldn’t say too much as it was the Council’s request and they had to get the results of it first, so time continued and in between all this wait we were dealing with the ombudsman,” Gary explained.

“As we stand now, coming to the end of September, the housing officer has issued us with emails stating we will remain in this property until work begins and will put us somewhere temporary until works are carried out.

“We will then be returned to the small one-bedroom house when work is finished and that is all that is going to be done.”

Gary was told that all email communication would cease now as the work is due to begin soon.

This work is due to begin in the property at the end of October. The couple have been told it will take two months to finish. Gary and Deborah say they continue to live in constant fear of further illness and worsening conditions of their home, made even more stressful as they prepare for the arrival of their first child.

“This is a time we should be laughing and having fun, celebrating the fact we are having a baby of our own, but the treatment of Leitrim County Council is absolutely next to nothing disgusting and discrimination against medical advice.

“I will be continuing on for as long as I have to, to make sure my partner and unborn child are in a healthy and safe environment.

“Not one person from the Council is going to tell me no different and with the help of the local councillors I have aside me I intend getting this sorted,” Gary said.

When contacted for a comment, Leitrim County Council said: “It is not appropriate for Leitrim County Council to comment on individual cases.

“In general, where a maintenance issue exists, such as mould, in a Local Authority property, Leitrim County Council inspect and assess the nature and cause of the problem and where necessary carry out appropriate remedial works. 

“Depending on the nature of the works involved it may be necessary to engage specialist contractors to complete the required works. Where contractors are required, they are procured through a tendering process”.

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