Other news in brief
Gaeltacht bus building firm shuts down
Euro Coach Builders, Ireland’s largest bus building company, is shutting down with the loss of 62 jobs in the Donegal Gaeltacht at Derrybeg, writes Paddy Clancy.
Production at the plant has been at a standstill since December with no orders for the company’s new Aurora 200 bus. The company, established 24 years ago in the Údarás na Gaeltachta business park in Derrybeg, said it had made every effort to generate sales and had been forced recently to impose an extended period of short-time work and layoffs due to the present economic climate.
Local TD Fianna Fáil’s Pat the Cope Gallagher, said: “This is a tragedy for west Donegal. It was a well-established company, giving sustainable employment for many years.” He said he believed that Údarás would, despite the economic conditions, do its utmost to secure another industry or services for the business park.
In contrast with the shutdown announcement yesterday, Údarás na Gaeltachta earlier in the day announced 38 new jobs for the Gaeltacht village of Kilcar, Co Donegal, with Cuan Tamhnaigh Teo, a company that manufactures carpets for aircraft. The firm is to increase its workforce from the present level of 39 to 77 over the next three years.
Paisley cleared of wrongdoing
Former DUP junior minister Ian Paisley jnr has been cleared of any wrongdoing in relation to a property deal in north Antrim, writes Gerry Moriarty.
The Northern Assembly’s standards and privileges committee has dismissed a complaint by hardline Ballymena unionist Lyle Cubitt. Mr Paisley was accused of paying a below-the-market price to businessman Seymour Sweeney for a house in Bushmills and of failing to disclose this “partial gift”.
The Assembly interim standards commissioner, Tom Frawley, told the standards committee that the estate agent involved in the development considered that Mr Paisley paid a fair price for the property, and that he had no interest to register in respect of the purchase. The committee accepted this judgment and the complaint therefore was rejected.
Mr Paisley said he was “very satisfied to have received this total vindication of my stance from the outset and of my reputation”.
Art and music for active retired
Hundreds of older people are expected to converge on the National Gallery in Dublin on Thursday for a day of free art and music activities.
The “Art for the Active Retired” event is being run by the gallery with Active Retirement Ireland, the umbrella group for over 450 active retirement associations throughout the country.
The event, which is open to the public, will take place from 10.30am until 4.30pm, and will include drop-in drawing sessions, tours of various gallery collections, musical performances and dancing.
One of the highlights will be an interview with artist Pauline Bewick by RTÉ broadcaster Bryan Dobson. It will be followed by a “Come Dancing” session.
Former moderator dies
The former Presbyterian moderator and clerk of the General Assembly, the Very Rev Dr Tom Simpson (84) has died after a long illness.
A former minister of Ballykelly Presbyterian Church in Co Derry, Dr Simpson was best known for the 25 years he served on the staff of Church House in Belfast.
Man injured in Finglas shooting
Gardaí are investigating a shooting incident in Finglas last night in which a man in his 20s sustained injuries to his arm.
The incident happened on Berryfield Drive shortly before 7.30pm.