CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS have repeatedly gone off in several houses in a Co Mayo housing estate since last week, but emergency services have not yet established the cause.

Residents of Lios na Circe estate in Castlebar are calling for further action after nearly week-long repeated activation of the alarms, raising serious concerns among residents.

The alarms have prompted investigations by the fire services, gas services and engineers from the Castlebar Municipal District, but it is not clear if carbon monoxide is present.

Mayo County Council told The Journal it is aware that over the past weekend, carbon monoxide alarms were triggered in several homes within the Lios na Circe housing estate. It said investigations into the cause are ongoing.

Gas Networks Ireland told The Journal that it responded to a call regarding a carbon monoxide alarm activation at a property in the estate on Saturday and found no trace of carbon monoxide.

But local councillor Michael Kilcoyne alleged the level of carbon monoxide found outside the houses was “off the scale” on Saturday when fire services conducted tests.

Kilcoyne told The Journal that the gas is most likely being emitted into the houses from a nearby stream which is nearly empty and contains decaying vegetation, or a nearby water tank which is also nearly empty.

He said residents of the community are scared and confused, as they don’t know whether their homes are safe or not.

Speaking about the residents, he said “they want an answer and they’re entitled to an answer”.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that has no smell or taste, making it hard to identify.

Gas Networks Ireland told The Journal that low levels of carbon monoxide can cause serious illness, however at high levels, carbon monoxide can kill in as little as three minutes.

Each year in Ireland there are, on average, six fatalities from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning.  

A resident of the estate, who wishes to remain anonymous, told The Journal that the lack of resolution has caused “widespread fear and profound health concerns” among the community.

They said the local authority gave residents the option to leave the estate until the issue is resolved, and offered to pay for the costs of alternative accommodation.

Lios na Circe is owned by Mayo County Council and Clúid Housing. The most recent section of the estate was opened in July 2024. 

Speaking to The Journal, Mayo County Council said: “We remind all households of the importance of maintaining their carbon monoxide alarms and to vacate the premises immediately if an alarm sounds. Only return once it has been confirmed safe to do so”.