Heir hopeful building London

DESPITE the DNA setback, Louis O’Regan hasn’t let the grass grow under his feet and is involved in major business ventures in London, including a part in building the Olympic stadium and adjoining village.

The well-known quarry operator, who heads the O’Regan Group, has invested €10 million in docklands projects at Dagenham and Stratford.

These sites are being used for the importation of sand, stone, chips and other Irish building materials for use in London’s major building projects.

The British capital is experiencing a building boom not seen since the end of WW2 and Mr O’Regan said “there are many opportunities for Irish companies and Irish workmen who may be seeing a slackening of the economy back home”.

Building materials are being shipped to London from Cobh, Castletownbere, Foynes, Limerick, Waterford and New Ross.

The O’Regan Group has teamed up with four other independent quarry operators in Ireland and one in Scotland to supply some of London’s needs.

“These business opportunities come when there is a downturn in the quarrying sector throughout Ireland,” he said.

His company is also setting up an agency for construction workers coming to London, which it hopes to launch next month.