A dad-of-two says he fears for his family’s health living in a house with damp, black mould covering the walls.
Don Kerman, 59, lives in a council house in Tuam, Galway with his partner and two children.
He grew up in a nearby house in the area but moved to his current home couple of years ago to become a full-time carer for his mother.
Galway County Council has told the tenants that their house is habitable.
Damp and mould began appearing three or four years ago and no matter how much they’ve spent on fuel or tried to deal with it just keeps returning.
Since the problem with fungus has worsened, Don has tried cleaning and painting the house, but the problem keeps recurring and insists these cosmetic solutions simply won’t solve the problem.
Right across the road to his home stands a newly built and regenerated €8 million council estate, which further exacerbates Don’s plight.
Don said: “I’m not looking for a palace, just somewhere to live in decency and where we don’t have to worry about what impact our home is having on our health and wellbeing.
“I wake up to this problem every morning. Then I look across the road at the new development that has cost millions and wonder why the refitting of one of the original Gilmartin Road homes is such an issue. It just doesn’t make any sense.
“I wonder if I’m being singled out because I’ve spoken up for myself, but I’ve tried sitting at home and being patient and you can see where that’s got me,” pointing to the appalling mould taking over the staircase.
He says he is caught in a bureaucratic limbo and has had visits from council engineers and officials as well as getting his own doctor and solicitor involved but there is still very little sign of a solution on the horizon.
“This is a home. I’ve lived on this road all my life and I’m 60 next birthday. I don’t want a palace, just somewhere to live and be treated with a little bit of decency.”
Galway County Council was contacted for a comment.
