- Seán Sweeney revealed his departure as programme director of Dublin MetroLink for family reasons.
- Lorcan O’Connor confirmed that procurement and construction face no delay at all.
- Some procurements had already begun and the rest commence before the end of June 2026.
- Michael Flynn takes interim charge while a replacement undergoes search in a global hiring process.
- The MetroLink project has secured planning permission and funding with an estimated cost of €11bn.
The Programme Director for Dublin MetroLink has revealed his departure from the role. Lorcan O’Connor has confirmed that procurement and construction face no delay from the change. Procurements have already begun and the remainder commence before Seán Sweeney leaves towards the end of June 2026.
Seán Sweeney departs for family reasons after several years away from home. Deputy Project Director Michael Flynn takes charge in the interim while a global hiring search begins again for a new project director. The team maintains momentum on the project with tangible evidence of progress visible within the next year.
The 18.8-km MetroLink rail line has secured its operational railway order in January 2026 and full government funding into construction. Major construction starts at the end of 2027 with operations possible in the mid-2030s. A successor will not need convincing that the project is actually going to happen as it now has planning permission.
Lorcan O’Connor shared “It is with a mix of gratitude and regret that I confirm the departure this summer of Sean Sweeney as programme director of MetroLink.”
Seán Sweeney shared “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.”
Darragh O’Brien shared “Securing planning approval in January this year means we are now firmly in the procurement phase, and MetroLink is rapidly taking shape with work already under way to allow for construction.”
