Hundreds of jobs in airport expansion

October 1991

HUNDREDS or construction jobs and a £8 million cash injection for the county will accompany the £12.5 million Kerry Airport expansion project Airport Chairman, Denis Brosnan forecast this week.

Mr Brosnan said the airport should be ready to accommodate jet aircraft by next autumn.

His prediction came as the airport board lodged an application for planning permission for the 2.000 metre runway and associated buildings and directed a major shares drive at the existing 3,000 shareholders.

The board has planned a “short and intensive” rights issue to raise £4.2 million through offering each share- holder two shares for each one held.

Mr Brosnan said he was confident the money would be raised by November 8. He said £800,000 - representing 20 per cent of the total sum - would be raised if the three largest shareholders took up their rights.

The three groups comprise Kerry Group, Kerry County Council and the three Town Councils and the ESB.

Mr Brosnan described them as “the three easiest calls to make.”

A £5.3 million Government grant has already been sanctioned for the development which will entail larger departure and arrival halls as well as extending the runway.

Mr Brosnan estimated that £8 million would be spent on the county through the project. He said it all depended on planning permission.

“It’s going to be a major boost for the construction industry,” he said. “Construction will continue through next year employing a few hundred people.”

Forms are going out in the post this weekend inviting shareholders to participate in the “two for one” drive.

Fund-raising is to be conducted across all areas of the county through the existing committee framework.

The principal backers of the fund-raising drive are Tom Garvey, Dingle, Xavier McAuliffe, Listowel, Ned O’Shea, Tralee, Brian McCarthy, Killorglin, John O’Sullivan, Castleisland/ Farranfore, Tim Meagher, Killarney/Kenmare and Mick O’Dwyer, Waterville.

Mr Brosnan said he was con-