Defective blocks class action court case moves into crucial next phase

Defective Blocks Ireland has issued an update on the multiparty legal action and related proceedings against the Irish State.

Led by Coleman Legal, the litigation, on behalf of over 2,000 affected homeowners, remains a vital route to accountability and redress for families across Donegal, whose homes have been devastated by defective concrete.

Coleman Legal has confirmed that discovery has now concluded across the six lead cases in the main litigation. A further exchange of documents took place in July 2025 by way of supplemental discovery.

Following this, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) raised queries on aspects of the supplemental material. Coleman Legal is engaging directly with the NSAI on these issues, working closely with the expert team to address all outstanding matters.

Coleman Legal has also raised queries with solicitors for Cassidy Brothers in relation to the discovery furnished in March 2025. It is hoped these matters can be resolved through correspondence and cooperation, avoiding the need for a motion before the Commercial Court for further and better discovery.

Defective Blocks Ireland understands that a number of technical issues have arisen between the Plaintiffs and the NSAI regarding testing methodologies applied to certain samples taken from Gransha Quarry.

The NSAI issued a Notice of Motion in May 2025 seeking directions from the Court in relation to these matters. Since then, Coleman Legal has worked collaboratively with the Plaintiffs’ experts to resolve the issues without requiring Court intervention. The motion was last listed for mention on 10 November 2025, when a further date was sought. The matter will return to Court on 8 December 2025. If the technical issues have not been resolved by that date, the Plaintiffs will need to apply for a hearing date for the motion.

Testing of samples from the homes of the lead plaintiffs is continuing. Coleman Legal has now received the complete set of results for one of the six lead homes. Results for the second home are expected later this month, with the remaining results anticipated at approximately three-month intervals thereafter. These test results are central to the expert assessment supporting the Plaintiffs’ claims and are essential to progressing the litigation toward hearing.

As previously outlined, additional proceedings have been issued against the State, including the Minister for Housing and others. On behalf of the Plaintiffs, Coleman Legal completed and delivered discovery in these proceedings in July 2025. The State has a ten-month period to provide its own discovery, due on or before 23 February 2026.

The Defective Blocks Ireland Group reiterated its commitment to supporting affected homeowners and to advancing these claims with determination and urgency.

A spokesperson for Defective Blocks Ireland said: “Behind every set of test results and every court date are families living with fear, loss, and uncertainty. Homeowners have waited far too long for answers and accountability. We welcome the progress outlined in the legal case, and we will continue to stand together to secure meaningful redress and recognition of the damage done to the homes and lives of our community.”

Defective Blocks Ireland CLG, is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Buncrana businessmen Adrian Sheridan and Shaun Hegarty.