Taoiseach Leo Varadker at Clonmel Garda Station this morning with from left Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Pat English (WUAG), Cllr John Fitzgerald (FG), Cllr Michael Murphy (FG), Senator Garret Ahearn, Garda Superintendent Kieran Ruane, Tipperary County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Roger Kennedy and Garda Insp. Declan Boland. Picture John D. Kelly
Taoiseach Leo Varadker paid a whistle stop trip to south Tipperary today (Friday, May 19) visiting Clonmel Garda Station, then Boston Scientific in Clonmel where more than 400 jobs were announced before officially opening Bunscoil na Cathrach in Cahir.
The Taoiseach was scheduled to do a walk around in Cashel town centre after lunch before heading to Thurles to officially open the Stanwix Village housing development in Thurles.
His first stop off this morning was at Clonmel Garda Station at Emmet Street where he met with Garda Superintendent Kieran Ruane, garda officers and administrative staff based at the 1870 built former RIC barracks.
Following a short tour of the station, he viewed plans for the town’s long awaited new Garda station accompanied by the Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Pat English, Tipperary County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Roger Kennedy, Senator Garret Ahearn and other local councillors.
The Taoiseach’s visit came hot on the heels of Justice Minister Simon Harris’ decision to expedite the development of the new Clonmel Garda Station earmarked for a site at the former Kickham Army Barracks by giving the all clear for it to proceed through direct exchequer funding. It’s now expected that construction of the new station will start next year.
It was then onto Boston Scientific on Clonmel’s Cashel Road where he attended an event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the plant at which an extra €80m investment in the plant and creation of more than 400 new jobs were formally announced.
The investment, supported by the Irish government through IDA Ireland, will go towards the continued expansion of the company’s medical technology manufacturing and research and development (R&D) capabilities.
The new investment will increase office and manufacturing space and transition the entire site to source more than 90% of its energy needs from renewable sources. This is part of the company’s broader sustainability commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Recruitment for the new jobs is already underway. The positions are in highly specialised roles within production, engineering, quality, supply chain and R&D functions.
Speaking after the event, the Taoiseach said he was very pleased to be in Clonmel for Boston Scientific’s announcement of another investment in the plant and creation of another 400 jobs. He noted Boston Scientific’s announcement following the announcement of 600 new jobs in Limerick last week and 1,000 new jobs in Athenry the week before.
He said it was very positive news for Clonmel, county Tipperary and the South East.
“I think it shows that economic development and progress is very much now happening in all parts of Ireland and all regions. The Government is very committed to that and wants to make sure that big investments and job announcements aren’t just in Dublin or Cork; that they are happening all over the country. A lot of that is on foot of the investment that has happened down the years in infrastructure, education and other things.”
Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Pat English and County Tipperary Chamber CEO Michelle Aylward also welcomed the €80 investment and creation of more than 400 jobs announced by Boston Scientific today.
On behalf of the people of Clonmel, Cllr English thanked Boston Scientific’s management and the IDA for this investment in Clonmel. “I am delighted with this great news. It’s great for the town going forward. This incredible investment by Boston Scientific with the IDA ensures the future viability of the factory,” he added.
The Taoiseach’s next stop was to Cahir where he officially opened the co-educational Bunscoil na Cathrach, the town’s new primary school, which is an amalgamation of Cahir Boys NS and Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire na Trócaire.
Mr Varadker was greeted by a guard of honour of students from the school.
The Taoiseach and Bishop of Waterford & Lismore Most Rev. Alphonsus Cullinan cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the official opening of the school. A commemorative wall plaque was also unveiled before the ceremony moved to the school hall where Mr Varadker and the Bishop addressed the school’s students, staff, past pupils and staff, local politicians. Bishop Cullinan also blessed the school.
In his speech, Bunscoil na Cathrach Principal Brendan Horan described the school as an investment in the future of its pupils and the generations to come.
“This school has been talked about in the kitchens and living rooms of Cahir for many years. Thanks to the support of the community, parents’ councils, boards of management and private individuals, it’s now a physical, tangible reflection of the hopes and wishes of the future of our town,” he added.
The official opening ceremony concluded with fifth class student Callum Boles, accompanied by Flavius Emanuel Ruscior on piano accordian and teacher Fidelma Nugent on keyboard, leading the school’s pupils in a rousing rendition of Slievenamon.
Mr Varadker was given a tour of the state-of-the-art new primary school and enjoyed a welcome cup of tea before departing for the next destination on his tour of Tipperary – Cashel.
More detailed reports and photos on each of these events will be published in next week’s edition of The Nationalist newspaper.