Toyota Ireland has confirmed that the Tom Hogan car dealership, which had outlets in Galway Clare and Tipperary, is to close because of trading difficulties, with the loss of 190 jobs.

Tom Hogan Motors was one of the biggest Toyota dealerships in the country.
It began in Ennis over 30 years ago but had expanded with outlets at Ballybrit in Galway, Shannon and Clonmel.

But trading difficulties brought about by the economic downturn, which has particularly affected car sales, has now forced the company into liquidation.

Toyota Ireland managing director David Shannon said this afternoon that it was sad to see a company of the calibre of the Tom Hogan group being forced into liquidation as a result of the extraordinarily difficult economic climate. But he reassured customers that any cars purchased through the group would continue to carry their full warranty.

Fine Gael TD for Clare Joe Carey said it was a worrying indication of the problems facing the Irish motor industry, which could be threatened with the loss of 5,000 jobs this year. He called on the Department of Finance to consider introducing options like a car scrappage scheme, which would lessen the impact of the global recession on this market.

Figures released earlier this month from the CSO said that a total of 4,480 new cars were licensed in May 2009, down 60.2% compared with the same time last year. Car sales had also slowed by 68% in April.

Taken from “Southside People” newspaper – Vol. 14 No. 19 Dated: 20 May 2009

Dublin City councillors voted to introduce a car ban in a part of the city centre last week, despite opposition from business groups.
Councillors voted 15 to 12 in favour of the peak-time prohibition around College Green from Mondays to Fridays.
The Dublin City Business Association warned that up to 2500 jobs and €200 million in revenue could be lost if plans for severe car restrictions were given the green light.
The Dublin City Chamber of Commerce also argued that premature introduction of a bus gate at College Green would lead to firm closures, job losses an lower commercial revenue for the city.
The chamber had asked for the proposal to be put on hold until several traffic mitigation measures were put in place alongside key improvements in public transport services.


Despite all the requests made, the Dublin City car ban goes ahead.
In times like this, the car ban doesn’t seem to be the best idea at all.

Five new penalty point offences are being introduced from next month.The new measures have been given the green light by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey.

From the May Bank Holiday weekend, motorists will be faced with the more stringent penalty point system, according to today’s Irish Independent.

Three of the new offences carry a sanction of five points, including failing to have an NCT up to date, an offence for which there is currently a fine of €1,500.

Vehicles of four years and older must undergo an NCT test every two years.

Driving a dangerously defective vehicle or driving without a certificate of road worthiness will also incur five penalty points.

There will be a three-point penalty for driving a vehicle without fixing a fault uncovered at the NCT or for drivers of trucks that strike an overhead bridge.

The five new categories will bring to 42 the total number of penalty point offences under the system, which was introduced under the Road Traffic Act in 2002.

Over 750,000 notices have been issued to motorists under the legislation.

Research from the Road Safety Authority has shown that one in ten drivers has admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel.Half of those surveyed said they has used ineffective methods, such as opening the window to try to beat tiredness.

The RSA published the findings as it and the gardaí launched their Easter safe driving appeal.

Two people died on Irish roads last Easter.

Gardaí say they hope no-one dies in road collisions this year and the force has appealed to people to be more careful.

Chief Superintendent Gabriel McIntyre said over a two-week period significant resources will be put in place to conduct checkpoint and enforce drink-driving legislation.

Noel Brett of the Road Safety Authority said driver fatigue is as dangerous as drink-driving.

He is advising people not to drive if tired and to think carefully before taking to the road in the days ahead.

Gardaí are to undertake a range of additional enforcement activities on the roads in the lead-up to and over-the-course of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.The operation will run from Thursday 9 April to Tuesday 14 April and aims to reduce the number of deaths on our roads.

Vehicle checkpoints will be in place at a number of locations throughout the country.

All checkpoints will operate mandatory alcohol testing.

Gardaí say excessive speed, drink-driving and non-wearing of seat belts continue to remain the key contributory factors to death and serious injury.

The Automobile Association has joined growing opposition to the introduction of a car ban on College Green in Dublin.The restriction is being sought by city planners as a way of easing congestion and improving bus services.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and Energy Minister Eamon Ryan have criticised those city councillors who oppose the bus gate at College Green scheduled to come into effect from July.

However, the leader of the Fine Gael group of councillors, Gerry Breen, has predicted it will be rejected, especially as the postponement of Metro North works mean it will not be strictly necessary.

City centre retailers say restrictions on private cars would damage business at a time of economic difficulty.

Now the AA has also come out against the plan.

Spokesman Conor Faughnan, who is a member of the council’s transport committee, said there would not be enough improvement in Dublin Bus services for it to be justified.

The transport committee is due to vote on the plan on 16 April.