There has been a surge in serious mental health conditions among families living in properties built with defective blocks, research by Ulster University has found. 

There are thought to be between 7,000 and 30,000 properties in Ireland which were built with defective concrete blocks containing high levels of the mineral mica. 

Most of them are located in County Donegal and the presence of mica means they are all slowly crumbling into dust. 

On Newstalk Daily, Professor Paul Dunlop explained that he moved to Buncrana in 2005 after accepting a job at Ulster University. 

“For us, it was a chance to have a new life, a new home and physically build something for our future to pass onto our kids,” he said. 

“Then physically, 17 years later, our house has started cracking and falling apart - the same as everybody else’s.” 

Professor Paul Dunlop oustide his home with mica. Image: Supplied.

In 2020, the Dunlops started to see “very fine” cracks in their home and decided to get the property tested. 

The news was not positive; the property contained mica and the engineer recommended it be completely demolished. 

Five years on, they have been told they are entitled to a grant and are now considering getting it rebuilt. 

However, the money is not paid upfront and has to be claimed back, something Professor Dunlop said is causing “huge problems” for families. 

“It’s really psychologically damaging,” he said. 

“It’s very stressful; I’ve said before, this has ruined my life. 

“I never expected to have to be dealing with anything like this.” 

Professor Paul Dunlop's home with mica. Image: Supplied.

The Department of Psychology at Ulster University has commissioned a PhD project to examine the issue. 

An article is to be published in the Journal of Psychological Trauma and its finding suggest the crisis has led to a surge in mental health problems. 

“The prevalence estimates for depression are 30% higher than the normal population,” Professor Dunlop said. 

“People are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder - that was 5% of the sample that we took.

“There’s 15.5% experiencing complex post-traumatic stress disorder. 

“The suicidal ideation experienced after a property is suspected of having defective concrete is present, with 35% of the sample.” 

Professor Paul Dunlop's home with mica. Image: Supplied.

Professor Dunlop said it means that mental health problems are now the “reality” for a great many people who live in Mica properties.

“It’s now been quantified rigorously in peer reviewed science,” he said. 

“It’s not just us talking about it; this is having really serious mental health impacts on the families who are stuck in these homes. 

“That is what they are like - they are stuck. 

“This is a scheme that’s not moving quickly enough.” 

'Most people will be dead' 

Professor Dunlop continued that anyone who drives around Donegal will see that the houses are “literally falling apart” and the situation is “getting worse” as the properties age. 

It is, he feels, “the main issue” for the people of Donegal and has reshaped politics in the county. 

“A quick calculation, if you looked at 203 homes fixed over the last five years,” he said. 

“If that rate stayed the same, it’s going to take 40 years to fix 7,000 homes. 

“I mean, most people will be dead.” 

The Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme provides homeowners with up to €462,000 to carry out work on mica impacted properties.

Main image: Professor Paul Dunlop oustide his home with mica. Image: Supplied.