Stroke victim wants carbon monoxide policy

A Shannon stroke victim, who has already suffered from carbon monoxide toxicity, has requested Clare County Council to develop a policy for local authority tenants who experience problems with carbon monoxide (CO) exceedances in their dwellings.
According to a Department of Medicine Discharge Summary dated January 19, 2012, Liam Casey (63) of Inis Ealga suffered from a “hemisphere stroke” while an MRI showed he had suffered from carbon monoxide toxicity.
The Derry native, who has spent the last 35 years living in Shannon, was hospitalised for three days at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick last January.
Clare County Council fitted three carbon monoxide detectors in his semi-detached bungalow last February – one in his sitting room, one in the hall and one in his bedroom.
Mr Casey claims he has had ongoing problems with his stove, which provides great heat but appears to be emitting high levels of carbon monoxide because the flue in his chimney stack is too short.
Having heard numerous Government advertisements about the need to be aware of the serious health risks posed by carbon monoxide, he believes this issue needs to be taken more seriously by local authorities.
Mr Casey contacted The Clare Champion as he was unable to get a response from the council last Friday when his carbon monoxide monitor alarm went off after reaching an unacceptable level. His enquiries to the council resulted in an automated message from an answering machine.
In addition to his respiratory problems, Mr Casey also suffers from chorea, which results in spasms in his feet and hands without warning.
He said a council employee did contact him on Monday afternoon and apologised for the delay in responding to his concern.
“Who do I ring now when my monitor goes off, do I ring the fire brigade or the council? I couldn’t get anyone in the council last Friday. I have been advised to leave the house when the monitor goes off, where do I go then?” he asked.
Currently in receipt of an invalidity pension, the lifelong Celtic football supporter has to live in a bungalow because of his mobility problems.
He has suggested that a stainless steel flue should be erected on top of the chimney stack. Councillor Gerry Flynn, who has made a number of representations on behalf of Mr Casey, believes the provision of an electric cowl to create some wind when there is no breeze may be better than the existing one.
He also believes the problem with the stove is exacerbated by back drafts created by a nearby two-storey dwelling, which seems to shelter the bungalow and stop the wind from taking away the smoke.
The council hadn’t responded to a number of Clare Champion queries at the time of going to press.