PD activist gets Foynes post

A LEADING Progressive Democrats activist in Limerick is to be the new chairperson of the troubled Foynes Port Company.

Kay McGuinness has got the backing of senior Fianna Fáil figures for the post.

She left Fianna Fáil for the PDs when Des O’Malley founded the party in Limerick.

Ms McGuinness is a principal in the Southern Advertising media company and a former president of Limerick Chamber of Commerce.

Shannon Foynes Port company, which runs Foynes and Limerick ports, was involved in costly litigation which led to a €500,000 payout to former chief executive Brian Byrne.

The legal costs hit the port company for a further €1.6 million.

Ms McGuinness’s appointment by the Government is seen as a move by Fianna Fáil to send out a ‘welcome home’ message to former party members who defected to the PDs in Limerick.