Four construction companies have gone to court over a €60m bill for damage allegedly caused by defective infill in three Dublin estates.
The major legal action against three other building firms opened at the Commercial Court today.
It is claimed that aggregate infill bought from Irish Asphalt Ltd was used in the construction of some 300 houses and was placed under the floors of various buildings and under common areas, including footpaths.
It is alleged the infill contained excessively high levels of pyrite, which allegedly swelled and caused cracking and damage to the houses and foothpaths in the estates.
The proceedings will be watched closely by around 600 homeowners on the estates - many of whom are expected to prosecute their own legal proceedings.
The construction companies are seeking to be indemnified by three firms in the Lagan Group for the estimated cost of repairing the houses.
The proceedings were opened in Clonskeagh this morning by Brian O'Moore, counsel for the plaintiffs Hansfield Developments, Viking Construction, Menolly Properties and Menolly Homes. The defendants are Irish Asphalt Limited, Lagan Holdings Ltd and Lagan Construction Ltd.
The houses affected are in three estates in Co Dublin: Drynam Hall estate, Kettles Lane, Kinsealy, Co Dublin; Beaupark, Clongriffin, Dublin 13; and Myrtle, The Coast, Baldoyle, Dublin 13.
The Lagan Group maintain the claim taken against them by Menolly Homes is without foundation and that they are not responsible for the damage to the homes.
They will outline their full defence when the case resumes tomorrow.
The case is expected to last as long as one year.
