Defective school built in 'record' 20 weeks instead of usual 60 weeks

Having to deliver such a project at 'breakneck speed' created risk of shoddy works by contractors and subcontractors, builder claims

David McGrath SC, opening the case for the minister, said Western built some 42 schools under a build-and-design scheme introduced in 2007 and in circumstances where there was an urgent need for school places in the era of the Celtic Tiger.

A school building which had serious structural and fire safety defects was built in just 20 weeks when the usual time to do so is 60 weeks, the High Court heard.

Co Tyrone builders Western Building Systems Ltd achieved the "record" 20-week construction time through a combination of hard work and driving subcontractors to ensure they completed Ardgillan Community College in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, in time for the opening-of-term deadline in 2009, the company's counsel John Trainor SC told the court.