Treatment of McManus family and their gift to Limerick is deemed ‘incredulous’

LIMERICK'S outgoing priomh comhairleoir Dan McSweeney says the meeting where JP McManus announced he was withdrawing his gift of the International Rugby Experience was "one of the darkest days" he's experienced on council.

As revealed by Limerick Live, the businessman told a highly-charged meeting of the local authority last Thursday of his disappointment at the breakdown in talks over the city centre venue.

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Located in O'Connell Street, it closed at Christmas with the loss of 50 jobs. It came months after Mr McManus and his family had offered the venue for free to council, with a separate donation of €1.2m

The shutters fell on the €30m attraction after talks broke down between the McManus family and council on the gift.

It was over a difference of opinion in relation to the valuation of the property. At a meeting held in October, council bosses disclosed that a consultancy firm they appointed suggested the International Rugby Experience was on course for a loss in the region of €700,000 - figures the McManus family have disputed.

In the aftermath of last Thursday's special meeting - held behind closed doors - councillors had agreed not to immediately speak about the contents of the meeting.

Mayor John Moran, who wasn't at last week's meeting due to other commitments, was in the chamber this Monday for the local authority's annual general meeting, which was held in public.

Here, Cllr McSweeney spoke out, describing last Thursday as "one of the darkest days I have witnessed in my six years in this council chamber."

"We heard from a man whose family's generosity has touched not just every corner of the city and county, but the entire country," said the Fine Gael councillor.

"To hear such a damning account of how JP McManus and the McManus family's proposed gift, the International Rugby Experience to the people of Limerick - was handled was deeply upsetting and concerning to me and every member in this chamber," he said.

The Patrickswell man says the way he feels the family were treated "was nothing short of incredulous".

He praised council director general Dr Pat Daly for showing "real leadership and courage in standing up and offering a sincere apology to the McManus family and this chamber."

"That action must be respected," he said. "But we must also recognise that some people chose not to show that leadership."

Cllr McSweeney made the comments minutes before his term as priomh-comhairleoir - or council speaker - ended after 12 months.

He was replaced in the role by City East polltopper, Cllr Catherine Slattery, who was elected without contest.

She will be supported by Newcastle West councillor Michael Collins, who becomes the leas-priomh comhairleoir.