Clashes over report on former Volex plant

A councillor and the Chief Executive of Mayo have clashed over a report on a section of the former Volex plant sold by Mayo County Council.

Cllr Peter Flynn had previously raised concerns about the sale of a portion of the building in 2020. He aired his anxieties after councillors formally approved the recent sale of part of the facility for €1.27 million to the Dextex Ltd. 

In May 2020, another part of the building that was almost twice the size in square feet was sold for €570,000 following Part 183 approval from councillors.

An agreement was signed with the Ballinrobe-based Walsh Group who have set up an engineering plant at the site.

Councillors sought a report on the project and an update on job creation at the facility.

Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly told councillors that the company has invested in the region of €3.4 million in the facility which currently has 43 employees. There are plan to grow that number to 78 by the end of this year and to more than 100 in 2025. Mr Kelly said certification requirements delayed the advancement of the plant for a period.

Cllr Flynn was unhappy that a written report was not before councillors. "This is too important of an item just to have a verbal update on it," said Cllr Flynn.

"This is an extremely valuable building that potentially we are giving away for a fraction of the cost. The taxpayers need to know what is the situation. Is the intention to give it away at a giveraway price?," he added.

"A report is a report, whether its verbal or other otherwise. If the members want a more detailed report they will have to explain to me what you want in it.......I have outlined that the company has indicated in terms of its investment and its job creation. I can go off and produce some report but there is no more information to be provided," responded Mr Kelly.

Cllr Cyril Burke said the property was not sold at a 'giveaway price' as it is not not the most valuable part of the building.