A Young Leitrim couple are calling for action from the local authority over what they say are major health concerns in their council home.
Gary and Deborah, who are expecting their first child, are currently living in a one bedroom house with serious mold and damp issues.
Deborah, who was offered the home on medical grounds due to health issues in early 2023 moved into the house in April of that year.
The couple say that the issue of damp and mold became apparent in August 2023, with the situation worsening over the next ten months.
Speaking to Shannonside FM News, the couple described how the black mold had spread across the property from walls, to appliances, clothes and food.
According to Gary, the couple have been suffering from a range of respiratory, skin, eye and other medical conditions with their GP issuing a number of letters to Leitrim County Council over their concern for the situation.
Deborah, who is three months pregnant, describes her fear that the situation in the house will affect her unborn child:
The couple have expressed their anger with what they say is a lack of action and care from Leitrim County Council.
They first contacted the council with their concerns in August of 2023 with Deborah and Gary stating that no meaningful action was taken until they involved local Councillor Des Guckian.
The local representative organised for two council staff to visit the property in June, with a subsequent visit by moisture control services Damp Master organised for July.
The delay in the release of the results of the examination resulted in the couple taking their case to the Ombudsman, with the results and plans then released as Gary describes:
Both Gary and Deborah have described their fear of remaining in the house for at least another month until the work is due to start.
They are calling on Leitrim County Council to move them to safer accommodation as a matter of urgency:
