FORMER DUBLIN PORT chairman Joe Burke, who quit yesterday, was told recently by the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, that his position was untenable and that he should step down.
Mr Burke took fellow board members by surprise at yesterday’s board meeting – the first since the Christmas break – by announcing near its end that he intended to stand down. Mr Burke left the meeting shortly afterwards.
In a brief statement, the company said that Mr Burke, a close ally of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, had informed the board of his decision to leave with “immediate effect” and thanked him for his service since 2002.
Mr Burke’s position at the helm of the port company was put under renewed question after a High Court ruling in December restricting his ability to serve as a company director for five years unless certain funding conditions were met beforehand.
Mr Burke’s legal team shortly afterwards lodged an appeal to the Supreme Court, but this case is not expected to be heard for 18 months.
Mr Dempsey is understood to have made it clear indirectly to Mr Burke that his position was not tenable and that he needed to deal with the situation. Mr Burke, who could not be contacted last night for comment, is understood then to have requested “space” and the opportunity to pick his own departure date. Yesterday’s board meeting was the first since then.
In its brief statement, the port company said: “The board wishes to thank Mr Burke for his contribution to the company as its chairman over the past seven years. Since his appointment in 2002, Dublin Port company continued to grow successfully and profitably.
“It is well placed to continue its role and responsibility as a key national asset of the Irish economy. The board wishes Mr Burke well with his future plans.”
No member of the board could be contacted for comment last night.
Mr Ahern was sharply criticised by Fine Gael and Labour in 2002 for appointing Mr Burke – a frequent associate of his in the Dublin Central constituency – just a day after he called the 2002 general election campaign.
In 1999, he was involved in the controversy surrounding Philip Sheedy, a young architect colleague of Mr Burke’s at the time who had been convicted for dangerous driving causing death.
Mr Ahern had made representations to have Mr Sheedy granted regular day release, but both he and Mr Burke said they had never discussed the case, which ultimately led to the resignations of two judges.
