Civil Defence boss fired amid relocation row

The head of the Civil Defence Board was fired today 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.

The pair have been embroiled in a long running battle over planned decentralisation of the board to north Tipperary.

Dr Ryan, a Limerick business consultant, was appointed chairman in 2002 and opposed the decentralisation of the Civil Defence headquarters to Roscrea, Mr Smith’s home town.

The move from Dublin has been planned for several years, however, Dr Ryan opposed the move as he considered the new home for the board unsuitable.

The Tipperary North Fianna Fáil TD had written to Dr Ryan over the last few weeks outlining his position and warning him that his role on the board may be reconsidered.

Both parties had been in contact over the proposed move however reports had suggested the battle could end up in the High Court.

The board and its civil service staff are due to make the move out of the capital in the autumn, several months behind schedule.

The Department of Defence is due to make an announcement as to who will become the new chairman.