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President pays a final tribute to the man who started duty free
TRIBUTES
have been paid to the Irish founder of the world’s first duty free
shop after he died in Britain.
Dr Brendan O’Regan launched the pioneering venture at Shannon Airport
and helped revolutionise air travel.
He also established the all-Ireland organisation Co-operation Ireland
in 1978 and the Irish Peace Institute at the University of Limerick in
1984.
He also served as chairman of Bord Fáilte.
President Mary McAleese praised Dr O’Regan as a true visionary.
The President said: “He leaves a legacy that permeates throughout
all levels of economic, social and cultural life in Ireland.
“His initiation of and involvement in far-sighted projects such
as the Shannon Development Company, Co-operation Ireland and the Irish
Peace Institute contributed immeasurably towards the confluence of peace,
prosperity and partnership we are now witnessing on this island.”
Dr O’Regan was born in Co. Clare.
It is understood he fell ill while visiting members of his family in England
at Christmas.
Shannon Airport Authority chairman Pat Shanahan said Dr O’Regan
— who was 90 — was one of the great pioneers of business across
Ireland.
He said: “From the establishment of the world’s first duty
free outlet in Shannon Airport which is one of his greatest legacies and
something that gave a lead for the world over to founding the country’s
first and only regional development agency and later again the establishment
of Co-operation Ireland, Dr O’Regan did what others would scarcely
manage to dream of.”
Clare TD Pat Breen said: “His achievements as a peacemaker and an
industrial visionary have left a lasting contribution to the economic
and social development of the entire country.” |
