Smith fires board chief opposing Roscrea move

THE head of the Civil Defence Board was fired yesterday by Defence Minister Michael Smith.

A statement from the minister said he had dismissed businessman Dr Michael Ryan as a member of the board with immediate effect, but gave no specific reasons.

The pair have been embroiled in a long-running battle over planned decentralisation of the board to north Tipperary. Reports had suggested the battle could end up in the High Court.