Dublin's MetroLink Chief Steps Down, Project Moves Forward

0:00It's April 2nd. Europe news today starts now, AI-powered and pan-European. I'm Cory with the story. Sean Sweeney, the top guy running Dublin's MetroLink project, just announced he's stepping down this summer for family reasons. The New Zealanders have been away from his partner, kids, and grandkids over 10,000 miles back home for years, and it's taken a toll. This 18.8-kilometer rail line to the airport has faced tons of delays, court fights, and costs now pay that $11 billion euros by the government. Sweeney figured major building kicks off by the end of 2027, with trains rolling maybe mid-2030s. In his statement, he called the job one of his career highlights, but said the family pull was too strong. Still, he's proud, leaving behind a top-notch team, full funding, and a solid railway order that turns it from dream to real deal. Ireland's CEO, Lorcan O'Connor, echoed that, mixing thanks with regret.

1:00Under Sweeney, they nailed the key railway approval in January 2026, built a dream team with 250 years of mega-project, experience, raptor reference design, and fired up procurement with huge global buzz. MetroLink's locked in with strong political backing and market hype like never before in Ireland. The foundation set, so those tunnel machines will be churning dirt soon enough.