Go-ahead for €200m shopping development creates 1000 jobs

A HUGE shopping development which was given the go-ahead yesterday by An Bord Pleanála will create more than 1,000 permanent jobs in Limerick.

The €200 million complex is being built at Coonagh Cross, on the Ennis Road by Chieftain Construction.

The company owned by Limerick man, Ger O’Rourke is involved in major property developments in Chicago and South Africa.

Chieftain Construction has built more than 3,000 residential units in this country since it was set up by Mr O’Rourke 14 years ago.

Mr O’Rourke said yesterday it is planned to move onto site immediately.

He said: “It should be open by March of next year and Tesco will be the anchor outlet.”

The original plan was for a shopping area covering more than 300,000 square feet and this was reduced at planning stage to 200,000 square feet.

Mr O’Rourke, aged 44, is involved in the construction of a 35-storey tower in Chicago at present which features a range of spacious, one two and three bedroom condominium homes.

They range in price from €200,000 and €600,000.

Mr O’Rourke’s Chieftain Group is also part of a joint venture company responsible for the development of a €690m convention centre in South Africa.

Chieftain Construction has also applied to build more than 200 homes at Carrignavar, Cork.

This will be a mixed development of detached, terraced, and three and four-bed semis.

O’Rourke hit the headlines last December when he skippered a 12-strong crew in The Chieftain to win first place in their category in the Sydney Hobart Yacht race.