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24 Oct 2025

BREAKING: McManus says he's ‘mystified’ at Limerick Council as he drops Rugby Experience gift

Limerick Council director general Dr Pat Daly "makes sincere apology" to JP McManus and his family - sources

JP STORY Nick Rabbitts

JP McManus arrives at County Hall this Thursday for a crunch meeting on the International Rugby Experience | PICTURE: Brendan Gleeson

Reporter:

Nick Rabbitts reports from County Hall

26 Jun 2025 3:33 PM

Email:

nick@limerickleader.ie

JP McMANUS has announced he is stepping away from further talks with Limerick City and County Council on his proposed donation of the International Rugby Experience, saying the process has left him "mystified" and "disheartened".  
Addressing the members of the local authority in the Council Chamber at Dooradoyle this Thursday, the Limerick man cited a number of "unanswered questions" before declaring that "we have no intention of proceeding with any further discussions or process with Limerick City and County Council in regard to this proposed gift".
However, Limerick Live understands that councillors appealed to the businessman to reconsider, something which he said he would do "in order to leave the meeting in a positive note".
It's also understood the local authority's director general, Dr Pat Daly, made a sincere apology to the McManus family for any hurt caused.
"JP has the full support of the council members," one councillor present in the meeting said.
Showing emotion in his voice at times during the address, Mr McManus expressed sorrow over what he perceives to be the Council’s failure to embrace what he called a gift to the people of Limerick "to create something special".
It's the first time the businessman has spoken on the controversial saga, which saw the landmark venue close at Christmas with the loss of 50 jobs.
Mr McManus arrived at County Hall in Dooradoyle this Thursday flanked by members of his staff in a 2014 Mercedes.
He left after the meeting without addressing the media.
Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Fianna Fail's council leader, Cllr Michael Collins said members had decided they will not be commenting.
"We want to respect the councillors, respect the executive and most of all we want to respect the McManus family. We hope that further discussion will happen in the days and weeks ahead. Then you'll be briefed in time as to outcome of that," he said.
"Today wasn't about a resolution. Today was about getting the information in relation to the whole background to it," he said.
Asked if a deal was still on the table, Fine Gael's Adam Teskey said: "We've established an awful lot of facts and beyond that we are not making any further comment."
Cllr Collins said he would expect there will be another meeting with Mr McManus.
Limerick Live has contacted Limerick City and County Council for comment.
More to follow.

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