Shock as county development chief resigns

JUST seven months into his job as Waterford County Enterprise Board development executive, Brian Rafferty has shocked the board by tendering his resignation.

The Tipperary town-based businessman, who is also president of Tipperary Chamber Of Commerce, was appointed to the post last October in the aftermath of the closure of the Waterford Crystal plant in Dungarvan with the loss of more than 400 jobs.

His reputation in the field of business made him the ideal choice for a job which it was hoped would help to attract multimillion euro investment into the county and into Dungarvan over the two-year period of his contract.

Mr Rafferty’s appointment was being financed by Waterford County Council, Enterprise Ireland, Fás and Waterford Crystal, with the County Enterprise Board providing office space and back-up services.

The newly-appointed president of Dungarvan Chamber of Commerce has said Mr Rafferty felt the rezoning of land in the Dungarvan area wasn’t being done at a pace that would keep the town moving in the right direction.

Shay Harty said the resignation is deeply regretted. “It is a sad end to a very promising start by him.”

Other sources suggest Mr Rafferty had become frustrated by what he perceived as a lack of cooperation by Waterford County Council.

“All the work that he has started over the last seven months will be wasted unless a suitable replacement can be quickly got.”

Mr Rafferty could not be contacted last night.

Dungarvan Town Council member Michael O’Riordan said he will be asking questions about the resignation at the next council meeting and will demand “clear and unambiguous” answers.

Cllr O’Riordan said everyone in the county will want to know the exact reason for what he called a “shock resignation”.

The immediate past president of Dungarvan Chamber Of Commerce, Ann Marie Rossiter said she was both surprised and disappointed at the departure of Mr Rafferty.

Ms Rossiter, who is also a Fianna Fáil member of the Town Council, said the chamber will be seeking an early meeting with the county manager to discuss the matter.

Senior Waterford County Council official Brian White said Mr Rafferty resigned of his own accord.

“The County Enterprise Board will now be looking to recruiting a replacement for him to continue the excellent work he started,” Mr White added.