Limerick gate installation company to close

SADNESS has greeted the news that Limerick gate installation service, based on the Ballysimon Road and which has been operating for 30 years, is to close.

Aherlow Iron Craft, based in the Monoclinoe Industrial Estate, was founded in 1982. It provided a complete service installing new gates and automating them after. It designed and manufactures gates in steel, cast-iron and timber.

But the firm is set to be wound up at a meeting in the Pery Hotel next Tuesday, August 14.

William O’Neill, who runs the firm with brother Patrick O’Neill, confirmed that the firm is to close.

“I cannot really say much more, but unfortunately we are closing,” he said.

Three people will lose their jobs - including William and Patrick.

Across its 30 years of trading, Aherlow Iron Craft employed on average “between five and six people”, William added.

He hopes the family can continue to work in designing and installing gates.

He said: “Obviously, we would prefer it not to end this way, but that’s the way it is. We will probably continue on in this line of work in some other guise.”

Limerick City South Fine Gael councillor Ger Fahy expressed sadness at the news.

“It is unfortunate that at a time when we are trying to promote Limerick from a national and international point of view. But this is no consolation to the three people losing their jobs,” he said.