4 | BUSINESS | INTERVIEW ∼ Sunday Independent 2 June 2019 Howth Castle’s ghosts stay silent as a new era begins at the Demesne Former fund manager and heir to Howth Castle has just CURRICULUM sold the huge Demesne, a VITAE difficult but logical decision, Name he tells Fearghal O’Connor Julian Gaisford-St Lawrence

Age INTERVIEW 61 Family Married, two grown up ULIAN Gaisford-St Lawrence children, Thomas and Alix is recounting the central role of Thomas St Lawrence, the Lives third Earl of Howth’s part in the Howth Castle foundation of Irish horseracing in the mid-1800s, when a voice Education can be heard calling loudly MA, Oxford from somewhere beyond in the musty halls of the otherwise Experience silent Howth Castle. 19 years as a fund manager He looks up with mild concern from an old in London, 19 years running Jpainting of his esteemed forebear towards where Howth Demesne the sound of his own name is ringing out, grow- ing louder and louder. Thankfully it is not the Pastimes sound of the dead generations of Gaisfords and Fishing, painting, walking, St Lawrences, whose portraits crowd the walls, racing, and shooting admonishing their descendent from the grave. Instead, his wife Anne dashes into the room, Favourite Book out of breath, relieved to have found him. Pride and Prejudice by Jane “They’ve been looking for you all morning, Austen your phone was off and they need you to sign,” she says, apologising profusely for the interruption to Favourite movie a conversation that has jumped from the slaying Withnail and I of 12th century Vikings by Gaisford-St Lawrence’s Norman ancestors as they conquered Howth to his Favourite holiday days away from here in the 1980s as a fund man- Syros in the Cyclades, Greece ager in the cut-throat world of London finance. Howth Castle is a building in which it is easy Favourite piece of artwork to get lost but Gaisford-St Lawrence knows every in the castle creaking floorboard, every tall tale, and every The Sea, a racehorse by John artefact collected by the family over eight centu- Ferneley ries, including a magnificent rare 1735 portrait of Jonathan Swift, a regular visitor to the estate. Most memorable visitor As eldest son and 30th heir to inherit the 530- Joan Rivers acre estate and castle, Julian Gaisford-St Lawrence was born into a magnificent inheritance which Favourite business advice brought with it a huge sense of responsibility. Listen to others; it is always Now after years of deliberation the culmination possible they might be right of that responsibility had arrived. and you wrong “They need you to sign the papers,” says Anne. And so, with a flustered apology, he dashes off to Career lesson meet the solicitors to finally sign over the estate As a fund manager, caveat to Irish investment group Tetrarch Capital for an emptor undisclosed — but doubtless very large — sum. Julian Gaisford-St *** Lawrence believes Howth Tetrarch’s approach two years ago presented an Castle is in safe hands opportunity to sell the estate to a single investor following its sale which the family believes will maintain its history, Photo: Frank McGrath heritage and iconic status. The investment firm — which previously bought Mount Juliet — is work- ing on a masterplan for the entire Demesne. It is planning a luxury hotel, championship golf course and new leisure centre, as well as some property, HOWTH HISTORY Turnover fell 30pc as recession bit deep and estate has come to an end essentially. So then you and Mrs Rankin who did the cooking and doled retail and sports and recreational amenities, all high-end courses like the K Club slashed prices. have got to identify who there is out there who out plates that needed licking. It wasn’t quite with strong access and links to Howth Village. Tastes too were changing, with men less willing to might do a decent job of taking it on. This place Downton Abbey. Those days ceased with my great It was, said Gaisford-St Lawrence, an ideal n In 1177, the son-in-law of Norman lord leave their families for a day of golf on a Saturday. has very considerable opportunities. I can see why uncle’s death. Even he thought he had economised solution but still not an easy decision: “It was John De Courcey, Sir Almerice, sailed into Even when a recovery of sorts began in 2011, it was Tetrarch want to buy it. They plan to build a much enormously… getting down to 12 gardeners,” emotionally difficult. I needed to bring all gener- Howth, then populated by Danes. After a washed away by a dreadful summer of bad weather higher grade of hotel on the site of the present one. he says with the hearty laughter that regularly ations of my family along through this process,” victorious battle on August 10, the feast of in 2012. The hotel also needed modernisation and It’s a fantastic site. Getting to that bigger vision is punctuates his reminisces. His father, aged 89, still lives in the opposite St Lawrence, the new lord of the headland finally closed its doors in 2014 after plans to lease going to be quite an expensive journey. And I’m He remembers Mr Russell, the head gardener, wing of the castle and will continue to live there took the saint’s name as his surname in it out as a nursing home were abandoned. a hotelier by default. I’m a better — or at least I asking his mother each morning which vegetable for the rest of his days. thanks. “I think that summer of bad weather in 2012 was — a better fund manager.” she would like for lunch. “My father has been here involved in the run- “When they went to accelerated a social trend away from golf that was So what is he going to do with the money from “I have always recognised I am very fortunate ning of the place since the mid-1950s. Undoubt- England they were told going to happen anyway,” he says. the sale? It is not a subject he is comfortable dis- to have been born in the circumstances which I edly, he considerably prolonged our tenure by his the land grab there was “We have a certain amount of investments and cussing and he pauses so long that the question am. In my experience, people who have made their investment in golf. It didn’t, in retrospect, solve over and that they we were selling investments to keep the whole almost floats off into the turrets above. own money tend to be more convinced of their the whole thing but it certainly gave us another should go west,” says thing going. That is not a long-term strategy. The “Well you are not going to come and suddenly own superiority than people who have inherited period. We could very easily have been Malahide his descendant Julian fund manager side of my brain was telling me this find two top-of-the-range Mercedes outside the it through the accident of birth. I’m actually a in 1974,” he says, referring to the sale of that castle Gainsford-St was not going to work long-term.” house because basically it doesn’t do it for me. very shy person and sometimes it was difficult to to the State by the Talbot family. Lawrence. As the economy improved, the opportunity Wealth is something that is very nice if you have overcome the barriers that come from where you In the early 1970s, his father Christopher was grew to do something radical with the huge estate. it, but it is not something to brag about. We, of have been brought up. still running the dairy farm on an estate that n Pirate queen He feared that doing nothing meant storing up course, will be in a situation to do things like buy “One of my ancestors complained in the late once stretched across 10,000 acres of what is now Grace O’Malley is said to have abducted the huge problems for his own son, the next in line. flats for my children.” 16th century that he was regarded as an English- Dublin’s northside, from St Anne’s Park, through then heir to the castle after she was refused “I needed my father to come to the same con- Tetrarch provided that opportunity and, now, man in Ireland and an Irishman in England,” he Raheny, Killester and Baldoyle. admission. He was released on the promise clusion… and he has. I give great credit to him for with the deal done, life carries on. says. “Coming from a background 500 years later “By the ’70s the dairy farm was not particularly the gates would remain open at dinner time doing so. He was brought up to inherit the castle, “No, I don’t think the ghosts of the past ad- that has embraced both cultures it is not that profitable. The real family occupation was to sell and the table would always be laid for an to be the heir, and perish the thought that you monish me,” he says. significantly different.” off a few acres every couple of years for develop- unexpected guest, a tradition the family has should sell it. But at some point you have got to But he would feel admonished if he had got But the sale marks the end of that phase for ment. So my father decided to convert land at the always maintained. recognise that times move on. The castle itself has himself into, for example, a situation where there the family, he says. top of the hill into a golf course.” had to be reinvented every 50 to 100 years. This were debts that could not be paid, he says. “My son could easily come back and live in The golf plans quickly expanded down the hill n The estate accumulated more land is another phase of reinvention and it is logical.” The family, he says, could have sold off different Howth. He is different to me. He was brought up when the family feared a compulsory purchase through the centuries “mostly from judicious But making the decision to sell was neverthe- parts of the estate in a piecemeal way. entirely in Ireland and went to the junior school at order was imminent for the expansion of a nearby marriages”. In the 18th century there were less very difficult for everyone in the family. “But we decided the right way to do this was to Sutton Park and had quite a lot of friends locally. housing estate to within 300 yards of the castle. 10,000 acres, taking in much of Killester, “I too was brought up that it was the wrong do a deal with one person who would masterplan They’ve had more of a normal Irish upbringing. “To make sure it wasn’t compulsorily acquired, Raheny and Baldoyle. thing to do. So emotionally I felt I was doing the the whole estate and create an integrated tourist Yes, they lived in a castle and I think they enjoyed my father turned it into a public golf course — wrong thing, whereas the fund manager in me and resort, investing the sort of money that, if I went living in a castle. They took over a sitting room as the first in Ireland. It opened up golf to a whole n Many of the tenant farms that the logical thinker in me was saying that if I did to the bank and asked them to borrow, they would a playroom and they would have in their friends section of the population that hadn’t played the made up the estate were bought not do this now I would have to do it when I was get the men in white coats out to take me away.” who were ordinary Irish middle-class kids.” game before and couldn’t get into other clubs.” out in the era of the Land Acts, 80 and that was not going to be any easier. This Selling now will secure the family’s long legacy The parents of those friends work in the many A hotel, the Deer Park, soon followed on a paving the way for development is something that had to happen at some point. and contribution to the area. and varied types of jobs found sprinkled around magnificent site overlooking Dublin Bay. of the northside of the city, while “In some ways it would be easier if it wasn’t “We have always had a very close relationship any north Dublin housing estate, he says. “He built the hotel because at that time it cost the land on which St Anne’s Park a decision, if the manager from Bank of Ireland with the community, albeit in the past a rather “Nice people, but not from the same Anglo-Irish IR£30,000 to buy a bar licence. But for about now stands was bought by the had rung up and said ‘You might think you are patriarchal one. This will ensure the structure background that I come from. My children have IR£35,000 he managed to build a 22-bedroom Guinness family. selling it, but actually we are’. We certainly weren’t of the castle is kept and attract a lot of people to had an upbringing that is much more integrated hotel and got the licence anyhow. With the turn- in that sort of situation, but it would have taken come and enjoy it. To do that you have to invest into the locality than my own was. Their mother over from the golf and the bar he discovered that n The last Earl of Howth — the fourth — the responsibility and the decision away.” quite a substantial amount of money. I would Christine is sadly dead, but her family came from golf was considerably more profitable than dairy died in 1909 without marrying so Julian’s rather let Tetrarch get on with doing that using the a French diplomatic background and so they have farming so he gradually increased the size of the great-grandfather, eldest son of the earl’s *** expertise they have developed on other historical had a more European upbringing. My father’s golf offering and upgraded the hotel.” sister, who had married a Mr Gaisford from Later in the afternoon, Gaisford-St Lawrence pulls resorts they have been involved in rather than let generation were part of a dwindling Anglo-Irish As a young man, Julian Gaisford-St Lawrence Worthing, inherited the estate. up at the castle yard in his 2007 Japanese imported the whole thing fall down around my ears before clique with a few Irish friends but not many. It had gone to school and college in England and car, returning from his earlier dash across town to handing on the problem to my son to sort out was a world that had it’s time. The environment spent 19 years working as a fund manager in the the solicitors to sign the papers that have ended when it is a markedly worse problem then it is now. in which Thomas and Alix [Julian’s son and City of London. He returned to Howth in 1999 to his family’s ownership of the estate. “I did the car “This is a large house, an important part of daughter] have grown up in has given them a begin taking responsibility for his inheritance as dealer a favour with this one... it had been sitting Ireland’s heritage, that features in the opening much greater ability to get on. I’m quite proud of the eldest son, when his father turned 70. in his yard for some time,” he jokes. lines of Finnegans Wake. It is in reasonably good the way Christine and I have brought them up.” “My son had also turned six and I wanted him He leads the way through a side door into a repair. But if we continued to run the place, ran it The family will now spend the next two years educated in Ireland rather than going through relatively small modernised wing of the castle in into the ground, allowed the house to deteriorate untangling themselves from the castle. the London school system. We took a decision which he and his wife live. Outside, a gardener markedly, I don’t think we would be doing us as “We have worked up various protocols on an to make a change. It was some change. But it tends a sunken garden designed by the renowned a family any favours, the local community any amicable basis with Tetrarch and we’ll need to was a change we knew we were going to have to British architect Edwin Lutyens, who remodelled favours and we certainly wouldn’t be doing the work our way out of the castle in what you might make. It was also a change a lot of people I knew large parts of the castle in 1910. But once inside national heritage any favours.” describe as on orderly fashion. There is massive in the City knew we were going to have to make this wing of the castle it feels almost like just an- He strongly believes the expertise and the quantities of furniture, books, china. We will be and that was probably having an effect on my other suburban home on the well-to-do peninsula, investment Tetrarch will put into the estate will selling some things and we have artefacts that career because I was in a reasonably senior fund with its tasteful decor, homely clutter and wifi create a magnificent tourism resource for the city are of interest to the State and we will talk to the management position.” router on the kitchen counter. but also allow the people of Howth continued easy State about them.” The golf business was still going strongly, with A distant chainsaw is the only noise interrupt- access to the estate. He is thinking about relocating to south Co people sometimes arriving at 2am to stay over- ing the heavy silence that pervades the castle. Despite this long-standing open-door policy, as Meath or north Co Kildare, where he has a lot of night in the car park to get a Saturday morning tee The kettle boils and goes cold as he talks with children he and his siblings did not mix with other friends involved in racing. Perhaps he could buy time on the course. But in 2008 that all changed. restrained passion about the rationale for the local children from the nearby village. Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown operation, another “Our customer base tended to be self-employed deal, carefully pondering every word in an accent “There was a certain distance,” he says. empire seemingly been wound up? taxi men, plumbers, fitters, people in the construc- as evocative as his name. But childhood in the castle was “quite fun” “I could, yeah,” he says, contemplating the idea tion industry, who were all particularly hard hit “In an ideal world there would be another rich with his two sisters and brother: “There was not the way Vikings might have watched Normans during the recession. You didn’t have to look too man who wanted to live in Howth Castle. They a large staff by the standards of what there had coming across the sea. “That is quite a way of far to see why they weren’t playing golf.” don’t exist. So the usage of the house as a private been but there were maids, Nellie and Kathleen, turning a large fortune into a small one.” MAGAZINE Make NIAMH HORAN: sure your magazine In search of the GIFT is inside female orgasm PAGE 19 €10 GUIDE How to have WIN a plastic-free €500 Christmas Penneys OFF PLUS BEST BOOKS PAGE 17 gift card LIFE YOUR VOUCHER IS ON PAGE 15 SundayIN LIVING InInddepependent

Vol. 113 No. 48 2 December 2018 city final ¤3.20 (£1.60 in Northern Ireland)

EILIS Boom Envy: 3pc pay rise on way next year — for some O’HANLON Niamh Horan economist and former De- labour market tightens and economy is going, I think you we head to full employment er Institute at NUIG, also or a global economic shock. The stress of partment of Finance adviser employers start a bidding war will expect to see more than there is naturally going to gave a stern warning that, Despite near record em- ORDINARY families are pre- Dr Alan Ahearne. to attract and retain staff. the [current] 2.5pc hourly be pressure on pay, as it’s a while the boom is solid and ployment and pay rises in modern life dicted to feel the benefit of Dr Ahearne, one of the first A 3pc increase in the aver- wage increases next year — supply-and-demand issue. I sustainable and should be some sectors, many people feel Page 18 the surging economy in 2019 economists to predict Ire- age industrial wage of €36,500 3pc is probably a good guess.” think there is a risk in certain felt in people’s pockets in the they are being excluded from as full employment and la- land’s property crash in 2007, would amount to a pay in- That view was echoed by industries of potential labour year ahead, there remained the benefits of the economic bour shortages across several believes a 3pc hourly wage crease of just over €1,000 a Owen McFeely, director of shortages.” outside threats which could recovery — the phenomenon sectors force employers to increase could be reached year. PwC Ireland Retail and Con- However, Dr Ahearne, who derail the economy, including increase wages, according to in the next 12 months as the He said: “Given the way the sumer Practice, who said: “As is now Director of the Whitak- the potential of a hard Brexit Continued on page 2 DANCING WITH MAIREAD Aer Lingus chief EAMONN SWEENEY Best of Schmidt era yet to come says staff stealing Sport ‘many millions’

Fearghal O’Connor orandum to staff in the last Deputy Business Editor fortnight. EXCLUSIVE Mr Rutter blamed “a small percentage” of staff. However, MILLIONS of euro worth of staff at Aer Lingus are angered goods have been stolen from at the introduction of closed Aer Lingus passengers, mem- circuit television in their work bers of staff and in company areas. stock, including duty free, Guest [passenger] property the airline’s chief operating and company stock losses officer has said. “remain at levels significantly As thousands of passengers above the industry norms make plans to fly home for despite investment in new Christmas, the airline is roll- technologies and invento- ing out CCTV cameras across ry management processes”, Dublin Airport and engaging said Mr Rutter, adding that private security to carry out a security company is to random patrols of staff areas, begin monitoring and re- the Sunday Independent can cording staff “boarding and reveal. exiting our fleet using staff Gardai, as well as both numbers”. local police and federal law The security company will enforcement authorities in also monitor carts — used the US, have been called in to on aircraft to store duty free investigate a number of seri- and other items — as well as ous issues in recent months mounting random patrols as losses from theft continue. across arriving aircraft, break The cameras are to be in- rooms, ready rooms and lost stalled throughout Terminal 2 property drop points, accord- because of the “many millions ing to the memo. BEST FOOT FORWARD: Mairead Ronan is looking forward of euro” lost by the airline Mr Rutter said he recog- to taking part in RTE’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’. She told due to missing stock, said nised that “the vast majority the ‘Sunday Independent’: “I love to dance and the show, Aer Lingus chief operating so I couldn’t say no.” See page 3. Photo: Fergal Phillips office Mike Rutter in a mem- Continued on page 2

BRENDAN O’CONNOR Preserving our cultural heritage

INALLY, the UN has there are many things that than re-living the passion there too, along with the classified hurling need protecting — milk and crucifixion of Christ tradition of buying the and camogie as in a Lucozade bottle to go to keep people from losing Celebrations in November global protected with the flask of tea and the run of themselves on because they were on a F cultural activities, sandwiches on All-Ireland a night out. Indeed, there deal, and having them eaten part of our intangible Final Day; stopping off for are a whole load of unique before it’s even December. heritage. So finally now one pint on the way to Croke traditions connecting to our That mild disappointment we are up there with the Park and missing the match. past as a religious country that the bags of Taytos in Jamaicans and their reggae, But beyond that there is that should get a heritage the Christmas box of 20 are the Belgians and their a rich cultural heritage that designation. The phrase small-sized is a uniquely beer-making and the people is dying out in Ireland and “Who said Mass?” and the Irish feeling. As is the of Naples and their pizza- some people certainly think feeling it evokes in a Mass- feeling of relief you get when dough making. we will be poorer without dodging teen, for example. you realise you can just eat While the UN is at it, it. What about the Stations Or the great Irish tradition another bag of them. there are a few more unique of the Cross in people’s of calling people out from Saying sorry all the time parts of Ireland’s intangible houses? This was an early the altar for everything from should also be recognised heritage that they should Irish form of the dinner not paying their dues to as part of our heritage. consider recognising — party, but where people fornication. Not saying sorry by way of endangered cornerstones did a bit of penance first This time of year is rich apologising, but saying sorry of our culture that need so it didn’t seem as if they with intangible heritage. as a way of trying to get protection. In the sphere of were enjoying themselves Like going for a pint with the attention of a waiter or hurling and camogie alone too much. Nothing better every randomer you bump barman. And saying sorry into because it’s Christmas, when someone bumps into Recommended retail price of the Sunday Independent in R.O.I is €3.20 or leaving all the presents in us, even though it was their Vol. 113 No. 48 S1 the pub when you stopped fault. off for a swifty on the way Men bulging out of home, but not remembering cycling shorts eating scones which of the half-dozen at roadside cafes should be pubs you visited that you left included; bitching about the the presents in. Chocolate Toy Show; having a Bono Kimberley should be up story. I could go on. Sunday Independent 2 December 2018 TO2 DAY IN YOUR SundayIndependent S1

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Castleblayney mourns and pays last respects to Stephen News in Brief

Elaine Keogh a guard of honour. Parish priest Canon Shane Appeal for witnesses to road crash THE town of Castleblayney McCaughey told them: “On in Co Monaghan came to a Tuesday night last, Stephen ÷ Gardai are appealing for witnesses to a collision standstill yesterday as hun- was surprised by death, and involving a car and a motorbike on Middle Glanmire dreds of people paid their the suddenness and sadness of Road in Cork last Friday, shortly after 5pm. last respects to father-of-two his passing has caused much The seriously injured motorcyclist, a man in his 40s, was Stephen Marron. heartache and grief for his taken to hospital. Gardai said a 28-year-old man, Mr Marron (47), of Dru- family and this community.” understood to be the car driver, was arrested a short millard, Castleblayney, died He said people had gath- distance from the scene. He was later released without following a two-car collision ered to grieve “the loss of a charge. Gardai are appealing for witnesses. in the town’s Main Street last husband, a parent, a son, a Tuesday night. brother, an uncle, a colleague Man dies after being hit by truck His wife Helen, their chil- and a friend, but also to give dren, his parents and sisters thanks for the life of Stephen ÷ A 39-year-old man has died in hospital after being led mourners to St Mary’s Marron. Someone who was so struck by a truck in Co Tipperary. Gardai are seeking Church, which was filled to important to our lives in so witnesses to the collision between the lorry and the capacity. many different ways. Some- pedestrian on the N24 at Knockanore, Clonmel, last At the start of Requiem one whose presence was so Tuesday at around 6.30pm. Mass, symbols representing life-giving and now is dead”. Stephen’s life were brought Describing Stephen, he Our Lady’s Hospice Lights Up a Life today to the top of the church. His said: “It is difficult to list daughter Andrea (9) brought all the things he did for the ÷ Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services in Harold’s Cross, up two family photographs parish. From selling tickets Dublin, is holding its annual Light Up a Life ceremony and his son Franco (6) brought to delivering envelopes, no and celebration today at 3.45pm in the hospice grounds. up a plaque which was a pres- task was too awkward, no The Palestrina boys’ choir, St Jude’s folk group and the ent from them to be given to challenge too great.” CIE male voice choir are among those providing enter- their dad on Christmas Day. He delivered hot meals to tainment. There will be hot apple punch and mince pies Other symbols were a Cas- the poor and elderly, “and lat- and the Army will serve free soup. All are welcome. tleblayney hurling jersey, a er started delivering from the Blayney Rovers soccer jersey, chip shops in the evenings”. Poor mental health service criticised a hurley and a sliotar. Mem- Mr Marron was buried in bers of the two clubs formed the church cemetery. TOWN TRIBUTE: Stephen Marron’s funeral cortege passes through Castleblayney yesterday. Photo: Tony Gavin ÷ A lack of seven-day mental health services in communities was criticised by Fianna Fail’s mental health spokesperson, James Browne. The HSE confirmed six community healthcare areas were faced with “significant deficits in service provision”. Mr Browne said “The need for out-of-hours access to mental health services nationwide is critical. ‘Millions stolen’ “Counties such as Galway and Wicklow are sadly with- out access and so too are big towns such as Portlaoise, Labour shortages Tullamore and Longford, and major parts of west Dublin,. from Aer Lingus Without a seven-day service, people must go to emergen- cy departments which are not an appropriate setting.” in thefts at airport Three arrests as drugs and cash seized to force pay rises ÷ Gardai seized cocaine and cannabis worth €90,000 and more than €20,000 in cash in a search of a property Continued from page 1 hit out at “the installation of in Ballymun in Dublin on Friday. A stun gun and what our members deem to be electrical items were seized in follow-up searches. Three of staff come to work every an excessive number of CCTV Even reductions in corporation tax ‘need not derail economy’ males arrested were being detained last night. day and perform their duties cameras in the area they work in line with our values”. in as well as the company de- Continued from page 1 under €2,000 more. Dr Ahearne suggests that treat some of the extra corpo- No winner of €5.7m Lotto jackpot But, he wrote, “as a lead- cision to implement security The average is across mort- even if there are changes to ration-tax revenue as tempo- ership team we have been patrols in break areas and of ‘‘boom envy’’. gages of all types, from those corporation tax, which would rary” and “put it in a rainy-day ÷ The numbers drawn for last night’s Lotto jackpot of concerned for some time” locker rooms which affect our But the former econom- extended to first-time buyers reduce the Exchequer’s take, fund rather than committing €5.7m were 16, 24, 31, 39, 43, 47 (bonus 17). There was no about a small percentage of members’ down-time when ic adviser to Brian Lenihan to loans for investment prop- these changes will not cause it to permanent increases in winner. The Lotto Plus One numbers were 14, 18, 31, 41, employees that continue “to on break”. when he was finance minister erties and top-up mortgages multinationals to “up sticks current expenditure”. 42, 45 (bonus 39). Lotto Plus Two numbers were 7, 9, 15, behave below that standard The row over security believes we are now on the to cover expenditure such as and move abroad”. He added: “In fairness, 41, 42, 45 (bonus 29). The raffle number was 1961. and incidents of unacceptable comes amid a wider battle cusp of more widespread in- renovations. The BPFI has He said “the boots will stay that’s what the minister said behaviour continue to be between Aer Lingus and Siptu creases in wages, with labour also noticed a significant rise on the ground” because the he would do.” Dublin dentist leaves €2.6m in will reported across the business”. over proposed productivity shortages across construction, in the incomes of those taking total package Ireland offers in- The Government was heav- He continued: “Theft of changes for loading staff at hospitality, IT and financial out mortgages now. cludes important factors such ily criticised in recent days ÷ A Dublin dentist, Noel McEvoy, of Temple Gardens, guest property, damage to Dublin Airport. services. Dr Ahearne did add anoth- as a highly-skilled workforce. after the Irish Fiscal Advisory Palmerston Road, who died on February 14, this year, left company property and in- Management last week The public sector will also er warning to his optimistic “In the same way that there Council (IFAC) said in its €2,604,477 in his will. Other wills: Christopher Farrell, terference with colleagues’ took the unprecedented move see a wage increase as ‘‘FEM- assessment centred on poten- is a lot of talent in Silicon latest report that there were farmer, Seneschalstown, Beauparc, Navan, Co Meath, property has unfortunately to bypass trade union repre- PI’’, the financial emergency tial changes in corporation Valley and also in the financial “echoes of policy mistakes of €2,246,656; Francis Plunkett Dillon, solicitor, Strand continued.” sentatives and write directly legislation which allowed the tax, saying that Ireland “could services in Wall Street, you can the past” and Budget 2019 Road, Sandymount, Dublin, €1,705,517; Joseph Kelly, He said that over the last to staff. State to reduce the pay of lose €1bn at the stroke of a see that when you create these was not “conducive to pru- company director, Crawford Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin, year and “more intensively In that letter, the airline public servants, is unwound. pen”. clusters and then the talent dent economic and budgetary €1,472,029; Louise McDermott, Shandon Park, Phibsboro, in recent weeks”, Aer Lingus outlined the reasons for the It comes as the average val- Last month, the European arrives, those people act like management”. Dublin, €1,388,2014; Sydney McDonald, managing had briefed staff representa- productivity agreement, ue of mortgages drawn down Commission raised concerns a magnet to bring in yet more Fianna Fail has made a director, Cherbury Gardens, Booterstown, Dublin, tives on steps “to tackle these claiming that ground han- this year also approaches the about the sustainability of the talent and expand.” stinging attack on Taoiseach €1,310,625; Patrick Mitchell, Charleville Road, Tullamore, behaviours”. dling costs are some 50pc Celtic Tiger peak. State’s corporation-tax base. And although he said Ire- Leo Varadkar’s promise of five Co Offaly, €1,097,240; Eamon Brady, water curator, An Aer Lingus spokeswom- higher than others in the Figures compiled by Bank- They warned that uncer- land is at risk of losing some years of tax cuts if Fine Gael Ballea, Carrigaline, Co Cork, €1,092,886; James Mulhall, an said the airline has fully market. ing and Payments Federation tainty “of some sources of corporation-tax profits, he is re-elected. engineer, New Inn, Enfield, Co Meath, €1,089,239; Daniel engaged with union repre- The letter also claimed that Ireland (BPFI) from its mem- Government revenue (notably added: “It’s a chunk of change. Fianna Fail finance Breslin, lorry driver, Fintra Road, Killybegs, Co Donegal, sentatives on issues including trade union representatives ber financial institutions put corporate income taxes)” pos- It would not be like the col- spokesman Michael McGrath €1,064,142; John Goode, Monksland, Athlone, Co the roll-out of CCTV cameras were turning their backs on a the average value at €217,857 es a major risk to the Govern- lapse of the property bubble claimed the pledge is “irre- Roscommon, €878,018; and Thomas Hennessy, professor and random patrols. draft agreement in which “the as of the end of September. ment’s fiscal outlook. and the impact that had on sponsible” at a time when the of surgery, Glencarn Lane, Rathoath, Co Meath, €472,242. But in a letter to Aer Lin- net outcome for you would That compares to the start Receipts from corporation public finances.” country is “potentially staring gus, also seen by this news- be more money and better of 2008, where the average tax have more than doubled to He added that the Gov- down the barrel of a no-deal The value of estates may include property, including the family paper, the Siptu trade union rosters, not a bad deal”. mortgage was €219,809, just €8bn since 2015. ernment therefore “needs to Brexit”. home, which should not be regarded as cash amounts. Sunday Independent 16 June 2019 8 NEWS

SPENDING ON MANAGERS’ CREDIT CARDS IN 2018 €25 to Amazon for a replacement coffee pot

Some of the flights taken €6.9m by managers in 2018 on garden works €3,000 at the company’s €205k cost of Dublin headquarters on new music for €30,000 Airport Gold Card for the christening €1,666 a communications of the MV Celine by one manager in Dublin pubs to Halpenny manager and restaurants Golf €33 bike ride on Chicago’s Navy Pier

Revealed: Port chief spent

€95,000 on credit card Eamonn O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Dublin Port Company

Executives at Dublin Port Lingus and Flybe flights to Ring, who did not return a call shores of Lough Ree in Co congestion problems at Dublin other major port destinations from this newspaper, attended Westmeath. The previous and other ports. The company O’REILLY STEERS STEADY used cards to pay for flights, such as Zeebrugge, Dover, in his role as “honorary admi- night the communications made plans to invest €1bn in hotels, entertainment and Southampton and Liverpool. ral” of Dublin Port. manager had paid more than port infrastructure over the COURSE IN BREXIT STORM But the company confirmed The €5,500 business class €588 for staff entertainment next decade, a crucial invest- other expenses last year, that while its policy was to use airfare for the event, a fund- onboard the Cill Airne boat ment for the Irish economy. DUBLIN Port Company chief trailblazer in the semi-state economy for short haul travel, raiser which raised €80,000 bar on the River Liffey. That But port management were executive Eamonn O’Reilly sector in other ways too, writes Fearghal O’Connor it used business class travel on for Scoil Ui Chonaill GAA club Sunday there was more staff also engaged by another pro- is the highest profile official successfully challenging long haul flights. in north Dublin, was paid for entertainment — for Port Se- ject: the creation of a mari- at a port that is usually government attempts to set Regular trips abroad for a by Mr O’Reilly, with Mr Mur- curity — on the Cill Airne, time garden at its head office below the radar since Bertie a seven-year term limit on UBLIN Port credit card expenses were small number of Mr O’Reilly’s phy picking up the tab for a costing €1,443.90. to “significantly soften and Ahern’s close friend Joe the contracts of CEOs in such chief executive spent by chief executive Mr key communications, com- €1,600 stay in the boutique Other spending items on enliven the Port’s boundaries Burke stepped down from the State-owned companies. Eamonn O’Reil- O’Reilly and three of his senior munity relations and human Kimpton Hotel Palomar. Dublin Port Company man- with the city”. chairmanship of the company Government rules required ly spent almost managers. resources managers saw Dub- Other entertainment on agers’ credit cards included The project to build a gar- in 2009. him to stand down in August D €95,000 on his The company’s communi- lin Port represented in far the trip paid for by credit card €8,625 to John Cassidy Travel, den at Port headquarters in- O’Reilly took over as CEO 2017. But in late 2016, credit card on flights, hotels cations manager, Charlie Mur- flung destinations during 2018 included trips to Chicago Cut €1,666.20 to Halpenny Golf cluded new pedestrian entry in August 2010 and cargo O’Reilly took an employment and other expenses in 2018, phy, used his port credit card including Chicago, Quebec, Steakhouse, Harry Carays Tav- and €25.08 to Amazon for a points to the headquarters, traffic, cruise line passengers case against the Dublin Port the Sunday Independent has to spend more than €30,000 Boston, San Francisco, Los ern, the Snickers Bar Grill and replacement coffee pot. dramatic new steel entrance and vital infrastructure spend Company at the Workplace learned. in a variety of Dublin pubs and Angeles, Venice, Helsinki, a €33 bike ride on Chicago’s At the port in April 2018, gates, a refurbished podium, have grown steadily under his Relations Commission (WRC) O’Reilly’s expenses includ- restaurants such as The Long Romania, Genoa, Barcelona, famous Navy Pier. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was new sculptures, a maritime leadership. after it refused to offer him a ed a €5,500 airfare for Dub- Hall, The Stags Head and Matt Geneva and St Petersburg. The Ireland Network Chi- invited to help celebrate the garden and seating, a new With Brexit looming, his permanent contract. lin Mayor Nial Ring to fly to the Threshers. Throughout In December 2017 the cago, which organised the christening of the MV Celine, a footbridge and relocated car stewardship has not been The WRC sided with Chicago. the year Mr Murphy regularly company’s communications river cruise, described it as a new cargo ship owned by Lux- parking facilities to the rear without its challenges. Retail O’Reilly’s claim for so-called Four executives at the spent substantial amounts — manager bought a €3,000 not-to-be-missed social event: embourg shipping company of the site and the installation and tourism interests in Contract of Indefinite port company — including hundreds or even thousands annual Dublin Airport Gold “I stood aside former Irish CLDN that now carries trucks of a refurbished crane from Dublin and other Irish ports Duration (CID) and further Mr O’Reilly — spent close of euro at a time — on the Cill card which gives the bearer Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Lord between Ireland and the conti- the 1960s to act as a new are still reeling from his awarded him €45,000 in to €270,000 between them Airne, the former Guinness access to unlimited executive Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring and nent, by-passing Britain. landmark. surprise revelation to the compensation. in 2018 on their company ship that is now a popular parking, access to Dublin Air- the cream of Irish-American Each month in 2017 the Sunday Independent in early O’Reilly’s pay and pension credit cards on everything docklands venue on the River port’s Platinum VIP terminal business members aboard company paid out as much as February that the rapidly package increased more than from iTunes subscriptions and Liffey. and private check-in facilities the famous Ft Dearborn boat, ‘The company €700k to construction firm expanding cruise business at 18pc between 2016 and dishwasher repairs to regular Contacted with a series of and suites, fast track through cruising down the iconic Chi- spent just Wills Bros, as well as to land- Dublin Port was “probably 2017, according to the port’s foreign travel and business detailed questions, Dublin security and a limousine ser- cago River, as the city’s warm scapers and electricians to going to peak during 2019 annual report, and stood at and staff entertainment. Port Company said that its vice to the aircraft. September breeze provides under €7m create the garden. By the time and from 2021 I think we will €359,000 at that point. The Sunday Independent “internal auditor reviews ex- Mr O’Reilly, by contrast, the perfect temperament for the port company had paid be taking significantly fewer In 2012, when port staff can also reveal that the State- penditure including on credit paid just €200 for a lower level invigorating conversation on a garden’ two final bills of €500k and bookings for cruises”. were being moved from a owned company spent more cards and reports directly to Dublin Airport Red card which and sceals with side-splitting €335k in late 2018, the garden A straight-talking, defined benefit scheme on than €200,000 commissioning the Audit & Risk Committee only allows fast-track security. laughs. We ate and drank to had cost €6.97m. no-nonsense communicator, to a less lucrative defined a song from musician Philip of the board. No concerns In September 2018, Mr the backdrop of the passing “The formal ceremony is a The Dublin Port Company he has never been afraid to contribution scheme, a King for the launch of the have been raised about any O’Reilly spent €7,500 on Aer Chicago skyline long into an long-held tradition intended declined to answer a question face down critics or those he special standalone defined Luxembourg owned “Brexit expenditure.” Lingus and United Airlines evening to remember,” the to bring good fortune to the from this newspaper as to felt were wrong-headed. benefit scheme was set up Buster” ferry the MV Celine. The Port Company also said tickets to fly to San Francisco network said on its website. ship and involves breaking a how much of a cost over- When David McWilliams for O’Reilly by the semi- The semi-State company in its response that “credit and Los Angeles to join a party In June, four port manag- Champagne bottle against the run there was on the garden suggested last year that state company called the which runs the country’s big- cards are used as an admin- of fellow port executives from ers, including the CEO and hull as the ship is christened,” project. Dublin Port was “a waste of Dublin Port Company Chief gest shipping port on behalf of istratively efficient means of around Europe led by the EU communications manager, Dublin Port said at the time in “The capital expenditure space” and should be moved Executive Retirement the State also spent just under payment with strong audit Commissioner for transport. spent €2,671 apiece to travel a statement, adding that it had on the project of €6.97m was to make way for housing and Benefits Scheme. €7m on a garden for its HQ on control.” “Overseas travel ena- with Air Canada to an Inter- commissioned “new Irish mu- fully reported to the board and commercial development, O’Reilly started his career Dublin’s East Wall Road. “Normal business pur- bles Dublin Port Company, national Association of Ports sic”, performed for the invited approved,” it said. O’Reilly quickly penned his as an engineer with Irish Mr O’Reilly — who has chases by credit card include amongst other factors, to learn Cities conference in Quebec audience by John Sheahan of Figures seen by this news- own acidic response. Cement before working a pay and pension package flights, accommodation, cor- best practice from internation- City. Conference tickets cost the Dubliners, Lisa Hannigan, paper suggest that the overall “Whatever else Dublin overseas in Egypt, Saudi worth €359,000 — spent a porate hospitality, company al peers on a range of business €925 and rooms at the Fair- and Colm Mac Con Iomaire of “Soft Values” project — run by Port is, I have come to realise Arabia and the Congo. total of more than €90,000 advertising, cruise marketing, issues, including seeing up mount Hotel — advertised as The Frames. the company’s Port Heritage & that it is a magnet for daft Prior to joining Dublin in expenses on his credit card staff Bike to Work scheme and close how other ports operate the best luxury hotel in Old The port paid Philip King’s Communications department notions and opportunism,” Port, he had previously served during 2018, much of it on Rail Saver tickets, motor tax and manage similar capacity Quebec City — cost over €1,100 company South Wind Blows a — was over budget by more he said in his response to the as chief executive at Portroe foreign travel for himself and and IT,” it said. constraints,” said the company apiece. total of €205k, excluding VAT, than €500,000 in 2018 alone. economist. Stevedores, the Dublin his management team. Staff Bike to Work scheme in response to queries. “There A week after returning for the commissioning, staging The same department was He went on to suggest Port-based cargo handling Dublin Port Company con- and Rail Saver tickets account- are no other ports in Ireland from that conference, anoth- and performance of the piece also almost €80k over its €10k that the idea might be a way business. He also held the firmed that in 2018, there were ed for about €13,000 of the of a comparative nature in er airline booking to Canada of music, called Celine, at the travel budget and €26k over its of winning votes in a future role of group development 22 credit cards in issue among quarter of a million euro of this regard.” — this time with Aer Lingus event. Catering for the assem- €40k business entertainment election of a directly elected manager of Portroe’s parent its 160 staff. spending on the four most On another trip last Sep- — was bought by Mr O’Reilly bled politicians, dignitaries budget. mayor for the capital. company, Doyle Shipping “The total spend on credit heavily used credit cards, with tember, the port sent Charlie for €6,100. and Luxembourg shipping By contrast the department “I had hoped we had Group, during that time. cards in 2018 was €522,000 or the vast majority of expenses Murphy and Lord Mayor Nial Not all offsite gatherings executives at the event cost a had underspent by more than learned important lessons Before that he was Project 1.2pc of a total operating cost itemised as “Travel — Fares Ring to Chicago, where they happened abroad. On the further €20,000. €700k on its budget for two from the crash. It seems I Manager for Securicor base of €43.6m,” the company and Hotel” or “Business En- partook in a special night-time last Friday in June 2018, the Throughout 2017 and 2018 key masterplans to expand am wrong. As elsewhere, the Ireland and also worked as a said as part of a response to tertainment”. river cruise through the city company made a €3,100 the Port Company was at the and improve the capacity for favouring of fantasy over management consultant with detailed questions from the Operational managers at along with former Taoiseach credit card payment for an eye of the Brexit storm with ships and trucks at the coun- facts is alive and well in KPMG. Sunday Independent. the port made regular trips Enda Kenny and former Chica- offsite board meeting at the predictions that a no-deal try’s key port, according to Ireland,” wrote O’Reilly. Close to €270,000 of those using low-cost Ryanair, Aer go Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Mr Wineport Lodge — on the scenario could lead to huge the figures. He has also been a Fearghal O’Connor

In 2018, there were 22 credit company in their role. They are subject aligned in support of future growth, of knowledge and training as the port the rear of the site, as well as a new STATEMENT FROM DUBLIN PORT COMPANY cards in issue (among a staff total of to individual purchase authority limits which will see the capacity of the port modernises and expands. landmark at the port-city interface 160). The total spend on credit cards in appropriate to their function in the increased to cater for an ultimate n Port-City Integration Initiatives using a refurbished crane from the 2018 was €522,000 or 1.2pc of a total organisation. capacity of 77 million gross tonnes. In The Masterplan also contains 1960s. The capital expenditure on the DUBLIN Port Company is a State- Credit Cards operating cost base of €43.6m. Supporting Business Growth support of this objective, the company’s a clear commitment to greater project of €6.97m was fully reported to owned commercial company responsible Credit cards are used as an Dublin Port Company’s internal Dublin Port has experienced activities include: port-city integration in support of the Board and approved. for the management, operation and administratively efficient means of auditor reviews expenditure including on unprecedented growth in recent years. n Travel business growth and development. n Competitive Tendering development of Dublin Port – the payment with strong audit control. credit cards and reports directly to the By the end of 2018 the port had Overseas travel enables Dublin Port This commitment has been well All such expenditure is subject to largest and busiest port on the island Normal business purchases by credit Audit & Risk Committee of the Board. recorded 36pc growth in the past six Company, amongst other factors, to documented and evidenced through competitive tendering and Board of Ireland with a planned capital card include flights, accommodation, No concerns have been raised about any years, and turnover increases of 38pc learn best practice from international the company’s “soft values” programme approval and is managed by the investment of €1bn over the next 10 corporate hospitality, company expenditure. for the corresponding period. peers on a range of business issues, of community, arts, sporting, heritage company’s Programme Management years. advertising, cruise marketing, staff The company’s credit card policy Development works at Dublin including seeing up close how and environmental initiatives. Recent Office, which over the last three years The company is well-managed, Bike to Work scheme and Rail Saver is reviewed on an ongoing basis and Port are already advanced with other ports operate and manage examples include the refurbishment has completed capital projects to an profitable and has a turnover of €90.4 tickets, motor tax and IT. All credit updated regularly, most recently in construction of the Alexandra Basin similar capacity constraints. There of the Diving Bell on Sir John aggregate value of €212m – all of million which has grown by 28pc in the card expenditure is in line with the May 2019 as a result of the move to Redevelopment (ABR) Project under are no other ports in Ireland of a Rogerson’s Quay, an arts commissioning which were competitively tendered. past 10 years. Dublin Port Company’s company’s policy – only for business a new credit card provider and the way and works commenced on the comparative nature in this regard. programme “Port Perspectives” and The nature of project development total operating cost base is €43.6m. purposes, properly recorded, receipted introduction of a new online system for development of the 44-hectare Dublin The company’s representation on or the creation of new public realm at is such that some projects will come All expenditure, including travel, and authorised, and subject to review reporting and approvals. Inland Port adjacent to Dublin Airport. participation in leading European Port Centre. The project at Port Centre under budget and some will exceed subsistence and hospitality is disclosed by Internal Audit. The policy includes As a matter of policy, the company Between now and 2040, other major and International port organisations included works to remove a section budget. All variances are recorded and in the company’s financial accounts, advance permission for all international operates a Purchase Order based development projects are envisaged on and programmes, including AIVP of the existing old boundary wall to reported to the Board quarterly. Under which are independently audited and travel, using economy class flights on system. There are specified exceptions both the north side of the Port and on (Association Internationale Villes Ports create new pedestrian entry points the Code of Practice for the Governance meet all reporting requirements and short-haul routes and business class to the system in accordance with the the Poolbeg Peninsula to complete the / International Association of Ports at Alexandra Road and East Wall of State Bodies the company reports standards. flights on long-haul routes. The policy company’s procurement policy. These development vision of Masterplan 2040. Cities), ESPO (European Sea Ports Road, Cor-ten steel entrance gates, a on any non-competitive procurement The highest standards of governance also includes authorisation processes include one-off items which can be The Masterplan 2040 Reviewed Organisation) and The United Nations refurbished podium and the installation in its comprehensive report to the apply to robust processes and by senior management for each card, purchased more efficiently via credit 2018 is a strategic framework that Conference on Trade and Development of new sculptures, a maritime garden Minister. During 2018, 1.95pc of a total procedures on spending incurred in the including the Chief Executive’s card card. Credit card holders are already informs the development of Dublin Port UNCTAD’s Train for Trade provide and seating, new footbridge and procurement spend of €98.6m did not legitimate course of doing business. which is approved by the chairperson. authorised to purchase on behalf of the and to which all business activities are valuable opportunities for the exchange relocated car parking facilities to go through competitive tendering. STORIES OF MODERN LI LOVE & MARRIAGE GHT FATHERHOOD LIVING MONEY EDITI Ex Miss Ireland Aoife Walsh on wedding-planning and influencers AND THE ON LIFE Rachel Football MEANING Allen’s star who OF MAURA Niamh Mexican became a Horan magic lawyer & Ciara O’Connor LIFE Paul Kimmage, SPORT PAGES 3 and 13 SundayIndependent

Vol. 114 No. 24 16 June 2019 ¤3.30 (£2 in Northern Ireland)

Garda ‘forced’ to give up baby for adoption KAREN’S NEW LOOK Mother

Maeve Sheehan felt pressured into giving up Ms Moynihan told her story for have gone to London to have other women, irrespective of of three her baby for adoption when the first time in Documentary abortions or give birth so that whether they were in An Garda A GARDA who was threatened she was 22, and was subjected on One: The Case of Majella they could return to Ireland Siochana or not, who endured with dismissal for having sex to an internal disciplinary Moynihan, broadcast on RTE with their reputations intact a similar ordeal to myself will ‘knew her outside of marriage and a child inquiry just weeks after giving Radio 1 yesterday. and keep their jobs,” she said. also have the courage to speak out of wedlock said she feels birth. Susan Lohan, of Adoption In a statement last night, Ms out now, and that the State will killer’ vindicated and “overwhelmed” She endured a gruelling in- Rights Alliance, said the case Moynihan said she was “over- take notice.” An Garda Siocha- with messages of support after terrogation about her sexuality raised concerns about how whelmed and delighted” with na has made no response to Ms disclosing her story for the first after she became pregnant by other female gardai were treat- the messages of support she Moynihan’s story. time yesterday. another recruit while at Garda ed at the time. “Many other had received. “I have waited 34 Patrick O’Connell Majella Moynihan said she training college in the 1980s. women in the Garda would years to tell this story. I hope › Full story, page 4 GARDAI believe mother-of- three Valerie French Kilroy was beaten to death by a man known to her during a domes- tic incident at her home. The Sunday Independent has learned that the man arrested over her death con- fessed to killing the 41-year- State company’s old occupational therapist after being stopped by uni- formed officers while running naked through a field in Kil- bree, Westport, Co Mayo. Sources yesterday de- scribed the man as being in a “highly agitated state” when €520k expenses officers detained him at 10am on Friday following a report from a member of the public. Valerie’s badly beaten body was found behind a vehicle during a search of her Mayo ÷ Dublin Port ÷ €205k spent ÷ Garden at HQ home. The arrested man was last night in custody at chief’s €95k bill on music for ship cost almost €7m Castlebar garda station. TV3’s Karen Koster celebrated the launch of the new-look Stillorgan Village, Dublin, yesterday. Photo: Tony Gavin › Full story, page 5

Fearghal O’Connor with strong audit control”. Deputy Business Editor SPECIAL REPORT — PAGE 8 “Normal business pur- EXCLUSIVE chases by credit card include flights, accommodation, cor- DUBLIN Port staff spent more porate hospitality, company than €520,000 in one year on piece of music from musician The company’s communi- advertising, cruise marketing, flights, hotels and entertain- Philip King for the launch of cations manager, Charlie Mur- staff Bike to Work scheme and ment using company credit the Luxembourg-owned ‘Brex- phy, used his port credit card Rail Saver tickets, motor tax cards, a Sunday Independ- it Buster’ ferry, MV Celine. to spend more than €30,000 and IT,” it said. ent special investigation can The company which runs in a variety of Dublin pubs A small number of Mr reveal. the country’s biggest shipping and restaurants such as The O’Reilly’s key communica- The company’s chief ex- port on behalf of the State also Long Hall, The Stags Head tions, community relations ecutive, Eamonn O’Reilly, spent just under €7m on a and Matt the Thresher. and human resources man- spent almost €95,000 on his garden for its HQ on Dublin’s In 2018, Mr Murphy reg- agers visited destinations credit card on flights, hotels East Wall Road. ularly spent substantial around the world during 2018, and other expenses in 2018, Mr O’Reilly — who has amounts — hundreds or even including Chicago, Quebec, including a €5,500 airfare for a pay and pension package thousands of euro at a time Boston, Los Angeles, Helsin- Dublin Mayor Nial Ring to fly worth €359,000 — spent a — on Cill Airne, the former ki, Romania, Genoa and St to Chicago. total of more than €90,000 Guinness ship that is now a Petersburg, on Dublin Port Four executives at the in expenses on his credit card popular docklands venue on business. port company — including during 2018, much of it on the River Liffey. In December 2017, the Mr O’Reilly — spent close foreign travel for himself and When contacted by this company’s communications to €270,000 between them his management team. paper, Dublin Port Company manager bought a €3,000 last year on their company Dublin Port Company con- said that its “internal auditor annual Dublin Airport gold credit cards on everything firmed that in 2018, there were reviews expenditure including card which gives the bearer from iTunes subscriptions 22 credit cards in issue among on credit cards and reports access to unlimited executive and dishwasher repairs its 160 staff. directly to the Audit & Risk parking, access to Dublin Air- to foreign travel and staff “The total spend on credit Committee of the board. No port’s Platinum VIP terminal entertainment. cards in 2018 was €522,000 or concerns have been raised and private check-in facilities The Sunday Independ- 1.2pc of a total operating cost about any expenditure”. and suites, fast track through ent can also reveal the state- base of €43.6m,” the company The company also said in security and a limousine ser- owned company spent over said as part of a response to its response that “credit cards vice to the aircraft. €200,000 on the commis- detailed questions from the are used as an administrative- sioning and performance of a Sunday Independent. ly efficient means of payment › See page 8

BRENDAN O’CONNOR You’re our summer now, Maura

K. Joke’s over. took them for granted, those week has tipped us over the We can convince ourselves Somebody clearly nice weekends. These were edge. We are not happy. it’s summer even when it’s didn’t get the just a taster, we thought, of When it comes to the not sunny, but it’s that bit memo. what was to come. We didn’t weather, Irish people have harder when you’re battling O Certainly, even make that old stupid always had a great gift for through driving rain. The there was a time when this joke we used to make about hope. In a bad year we will truth is that in the deep- would have been acceptable. a nice weekend in May, that wait right up to the end est recesses of our hearts, There would have been a this was our summer. No, of September, always sure some of us would prefer a time when we wouldn’t have summer was still to come. it’s just around the corner. drought, prefer to be spying complained. But that is not And whether it was down to Hopes of summer damp on the neighbours who were who we are any more. We’ve global warming or whatever, down to hopes of an Indian using a garden hose. changed. Last year we saw it was going to be a scorcher, summer. Years of disap- You’ll notice the weather the limitless possibilities of because that’s what we have pointing weather somehow forecasters have tempered how life could be and who now. We have hot summers, never turned us into pessi- the way they present the we could be. And we liked and we all become outdoor, mists. But one good summer outlook. They’ve stopped what we saw. And we don’t sexy Mediterranean types. made us not only optimistic, saying next week won’t be want to go back in our box. We kind of accepted the but actually entitled. It much better, and instead We accepted the fairly first week in June being bad would come. It has to come. are saying next week will crappy May. There was the as well. After all, summer Last year we actually bought be a bit better — a slightly odd nice weekend there that doesn’t always come exactly summer clothes, new barbe- nicer way of saying the same offered hope. And we almost on schedule. But the second cues, new outdoor furniture, thing. They knew we were all the accoutrements of this close to the edge, that we new life we were going to needed some good news. Recommended retail price of the Sunday Independent in R.O.I is €3.30 have. Right now, the only thing Vol. 114 No. 24 But we’d be lying if we making it summer for us is said we weren’t getting Hurricane Maura, a Gael PROMOTIONAL worried now. It’s not just force from Longford, that the chilly weather, the is creating an area of high COPY central heating being on, pressure in Love Island. the lighting of fires by You’re our summer now, NOT FOR RESALE some people. It’s the rain. Maura. Don’t mess it up.