Former Aer Rianta chairman vows to pay for €9k watches

Former Aer Rianta chairman Noel Hanlon has vowed to personally pay for the four €9,000 watches that he presented to a number of his colleagues on the board of the airports company.

Mr Hanlon was widely criticised yesterday for using company funds to pay for the watches, which were given as gifts in recognition of the board members’ work.

In a statement last night, he defended his actions, saying he considered the gifts wholly appropriate.

However, he also said he would return the watch he presented to himself and personally pay for the other four in order to defuse the controversy surrounding the matter.