Metrolink project boss announces resignation

By Grainne Ni Aodha, Press Association

The project boss for the Metrolink, Seán Sweeney, has announced his resignation.

The New Zealander said he was departing from the long-awaited flagship infrastructure project for family reasons.

The 18.8-kilometre MetroLink rail line has been beset with delays, legal challenges and ballooning costs – with the current Government estimating costs at around €11 billion.

Sweeney had estimated that major construction is expected to start at the end of 2027 and that it could be some time in the mid-2030s before people will be able to take the metro to the airport.

In a statement, Sweeney said that the role had been “one of the greatest professional privileges of my career”.

“However, after several years away from home, the sacrifice of being separated from my partner, children, and grandchildren, who are over 10,000 miles away, has become unsustainable,” he added.

“It is with deep regret that I leave MetroLink, however, I know it is the right thing to do for everyone.

“A programme like MetroLink will have many parents and I always believed my role was to get the programme up and running.

“I am proud to leave the programme with a highly committed and experienced executive team, full government support as well an operational Railway Order and MetroLink fully funded into construction.

“MetroLink is no longer a ‘proposed’ plan; it is a live delivery project.

“The market appetite is huge, the political support is firm, and the team I leave behind is the best I have ever worked with.

“I want to thank Minister (Darragh) O’Brien, the TII Board, and the people of Dublin for their trust.

“I look forward to seeing the first tunnel boring machines start their work, knowing the foundation is rock solid.”

Chief executive of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Lorcan O’Connor said: “It is with a mix of gratitude and regret that I confirm the departure this summer of Seán Sweeney as programme director of MetroLink.

“Seán joined us at a critical juncture when MetroLink was in need of a steady hand to build a strong team, generate market interest, secure planning and steer the programme into the procurement phase.

“During his time, the project has secured its most significant milestone to date: securing the Operational Railway Order in January 2026.

“Seán has assembled an executive team with over 250 years of collective experience in delivering global mega-projects.

“Under his watch MetroLink now has a completed reference design, a live procurement process, comprehensive political support and a level of international market confidence Ireland has never seen before.”