04/01/2024
Urlingford’s Bernard Kavanagh & Sons Ltd Issue Statement Refuting “Falsified Claims” Surrounding Redevelopment of Former Josephine’s Restaurant Site
Thursday 4th January 2024: Following the release of a slanderous video across various social media platforms this week, regarding the development of the former Josephine’s Restaurant which is well-known landmark in Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, the owners of the site would like to make public comment specifically to the local and wider community, in order to put an end to the misinformation being shared. The building is currently owned by Bernard Kavanagh & Sons, which has been derelict since 2010.
The site is currently being redeveloped and repurposed to accommodate both Ukrainian people and their families, who are fleeing the war in their country, and staff of the company. We currently have a number of Ukrainian people working in our group of companies and we will continue to support them and their families during this time of unrest in Ukraine.
Once the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine comes to an end, the company intend to utilise the building to cater for our staff, as well as the base of business headquarters for the company.
The owners were this week made aware of a misleading video being shared across social media, which has prompted a series of negative and unjust comments – surrounding the plans for the site in question. The false allegations being made in the post claim that the building is being developed to house International Protection (IP) Migrants; a claim that is “absolutely and wholeheartedly untrue”.
Responding to the negative narrative that has been spun in recent days, the Directors of the company commented: “This week, a number of falsified claims were brought to our attention regarding the development of the building at the former site of Josephine’s Restaurant. We can say, profoundly, that this information is categorically untrue. At no time was it ever considered to use the building to house International Protection (IP) Migrants and as such, we would request the misinformation currently being spread to desist.”
They continued: “The current campaign of scaremongering and lies directed towards us has the sole purpose of causing worry in the community when it is not warranted. Lies and mistruths that are spread on social media are profoundly hurtful and damaging, and as our families are long-standing members of the Urlingford community, we would request this to cease.”
Issued by Bernard Kavanagh & Sons Ltd, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny
