THE SHANNON Group has said it is their understanding that Padraig Ó’Ceidigh resigned his post as chairperson because of other business commitments, after it was claimed that he was “frozen out” of the group.
According to The Clare Echo newspaper, Shannon Airport sources have revealed that Mr O’Ceidigh was “frozen out” after just six months in the role.
At time of his resignation, the description of his €21,600 per annum role was that he would spend up to 20 days a year on it and attend at least eight board meetings.
The article claimed that sources revealed the Aer Arann founder told close colleagues that he was not being kept in the loop and that he lacked support from certain people in the Shannon Group .
The former Senator has yet to make a public statement on why he stood down from the role and is still expected to make an appearance before the Oireachtas Transport Committee.
Limerick TD and chair of the committee, Kieran O’Donnell said that a date has yet to be set for the former Chairperson to appear and that there will be a discussion at that time about his reasons for resigning.
In response to a query from the Limerick Post on the claims that Mr O’Ceidigh had quit because he lacked support within the Shannon Grup, a spokesperson said “We understand that Mr Ó’Ceidigh indicated that due to other business commitments he was unable to continue in the role.
“After two hard years, we have had have considerable success in restoring air services at Shannon.
“Central to this has been the restoration of our year-round London Heathrow service -providing 20 flights per week, a range of European air services, and flights to the United States. In March, we welcomed the return of our Aer Lingus daily year-round services to New York (JFK) and Boston, along with United Airlines’ daily seasonal service to Newark.
“We are pleased that we have secured services to 26 destinations in 11 countries from Shannon for our passengers this summer,” the spokesperson added.
