14/07/2026
Statement from the Board of Directors of West Limerick 102FM Community Radio
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It is with an incredibly heavy heart that the Board of Directors of West Limerick 102FM issues this statement to our listeners, volunteers, supporters and the wider West Limerick community.
Following the appointment of the new Board in recent weeks, we have just become aware of the true seriousness of the station's financial position. The full extent of the financial difficulties had unfortunately not been apparent or communicated to the current Board prior to or during the taking of office. Having now undertaken a review of the station's finances, we have discovered estimated liabilities in excess of €40,000, leaving the organisation in an extremely difficult and ultimately unsustainable position. The station has also lost its licence to operate full time due to past financial and governance issues and mandatory documentation not being submitted as well as the lack of implementation of a proposed plan. At that time, again, the current board was completely unaware of the of the loss of the licence, and the urgency on the previous subcommittee to implement and rectify proposed targets by the authorities guidelines before the renewal would succeed .The discovery of the new board was that the station had in actuality already been unsuccessful in renewing its full operating licence with the final submission having passed immediately prior to the stepping down of the previous board.
Since this came to light, the Board has devoted countless voluntary hours to trying to save the station. Board members and the manager have been working day and night, attending meetings, engaging with relevant people, exploring funding opportunities, meeting many potential supporters, attending community events, organising fundraising initiatives and doing everything within their power to find a solution. Every one of these efforts has been undertaken voluntarily, with Board members giving their own time, energy and, in all cases, covering their own travel and personal expenses because they genuinely believed West Limerick 102FM was worth fighting for and tried every avenue possible for a positive outcome.
Sadly, despite all of these efforts, no solution has been found that would make the station financially viable in its current position.
With all of that said, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our community. To every person who tuned in over the years, every volunteer who presented programmes or worked behind the scenes, every local business that advertised with us, every organisation that invited us to their events, everyone who supported our church gate collections, past go fund me, purchased tickets for our 50/50 Draw, attended fundraising events or donated in any way-thank you. Your loyalty and generosity have meant more to us than words can express.
In particular, our 50/50 Draw has been very successful and has demonstrated just how much the community values its local radio station. However, while these fundraising efforts have generated much-needed income, the unfortunate reality is that they are simply not enough to meet the station's ongoing financial commitments or address debts of this magnitude.
Like any organisation, a community radio station must remain financially sustainable to survive. No business or charitable organisation can continue indefinitely where its expenditure consistently exceeds its income and liabilities continue to grow. While passion, commitment and volunteerism have kept West Limerick 102FM on the air for many years, goodwill alone cannot pay creditors, utilities, insurance, licensing costs and the many other expenses required to operate a community broadcaster.
The Board has a legal and fiduciary responsibility to act responsibly and in the best interests of the organisation and its creditors. To continue trading while the station remains in such a significant financial deficit, with debts continuing to accrue and no realistic prospect of returning to financial sustainability, would be reckless and would not be responsible governance.
For that reason, and with profound sadness, the Board has begun seeking independent professional advice regarding a Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation, should that ultimately prove to be the only responsible course of action. This decision has not been taken lightly. It follows weeks of intensive work and exhaustive efforts to identify an alternative that would allow the station to continue operating.
West Limerick 102FM has always been far more than a radio station. It has been a platform for local voices, local music, community groups, charities, schools, sports clubs, churches, businesses and volunteers. It has connected people across West Limerick and beyond, celebrated our culture and heritage, and provided a genuine community service for many years.
A special tribute is due to Bernadette O'Connor, whose dedication, commitment and tireless work over many years helped sustain the station through difficult times. Often working many unpaid days each week and operating on the most modest of budgets, Bernadette managed the station with remarkable care and efficiency. Through prudent management and a constant focus on keeping expenditure under control, she worked diligently to stay on top of the station's financial commitments and made significant progress in reducing outstanding debts while ensuring that West Limerick 102FM continued to serve its listeners and community. Her commitment to community broadcasting and to the people of West Limerick helped ensure that the station remained on air for many years, and her contribution to the station and to the wider community cannot be overstated.
The Board also wishes to pay special tribute to Eddie Banks, whose efforts over many years as the station's salesman played a vital role in supporting West Limerick 102FM. Eddie worked tirelessly promoting the station and securing advertising revenue, often travelling the roads and streets of West Limerick and beyond, calling door to door and building relationships with businesses in an effort to keep the station on the air. His dedication, perseverance and belief in the station were deeply appreciated and his contribution to the success and longevity of West Limerick 102FM will always be remembered.
The Board also wishes to pay special tribute to Patrick Sheehan, whose remarkable ingenuity, technical expertise and unwavering commitment ensured that the station continued to broadcast despite extremely limited resources. Through countless hours of work, often seven days a week, late into the night and throughout Christmas and holiday periods, Patrick rebuilt and maintained equipment, repurposed computers and components, fabricated parts where replacements could not be afforded and answered technical problems at all hours to keep the station on air. By recycling and restoring equipment and using his engineering skills and creativity, he achieved what many would have thought impossible and helped keep West Limerick 102fm broadcasting for years on virtually no budget. His dedication and willingness to go above and beyond exemplified the very spirit of community broadcasting.
The Board also wishes to acknowledge with sincere appreciation the tremendous contribution made by Jason Smith, whose voluntary efforts and outstanding work in running and promoting the station's 50/50 draw provided invaluable support to the organisation. His dedication, enthusiasm and generosity of spirit were deeply appreciated.
The Board also extends its heartfelt thanks to the many former directors, presenters, volunteers, Community Employment participants and staff members who have contributed to West Limerick 102fm over the past twenty-one years. There were so many valuable people that made west limerick 102fm the special community gem that it has remained for 21 years. Every person who passed through the doors of the station played a part in its story and helped create something truly special.
We also wish to thank the many businesses, sponsors and advertisers who supported the station throughout the years, as well as the loyal listeners who welcomed West Limerick 102fm into their homes, workplaces and cars every day. Without your support, friendship and encouragement, none of this would have been possible.
Although the station may fall silent, the friendships formed, the memories created and the sense of community built over almost twenty-one years will live on.
To everyone who has been part of that journey to date, we offer our deepest and most heartfelt thanks. We sincerely hope the community understands that this position has not arisen through a lack of effort by the current Board. On the contrary, every available avenue has been explored, every opportunity pursued and every reasonable effort made to save the station. Unfortunately, there comes a point where difficult decisions must be made to fulfil our legal and moral responsibilities.
Whatever the future holds, the Board is immensely proud of the legacy of West Limerick 102FM and the thousands of people who have helped make it the community institution it has become.
Our line of communication remains open should there be anyone interested in communicating regarding the above. Please contact us via the points of contact below.
Thank you for your support and understanding from the bottom of our hearts,
The Board of directors & The Manager
West Limerick 102FM Community Radio
[email protected]
087-4257928
Chairman-Kieran McAuliffe Secretary/Treasurer-Sarah Duggan, Manager-Patrick Sheehan, Lorcan Curtin-Co-Treasurer, Mike Moloney-Board member ,Joan Sheehan-Board member, Michael Oni-Board Member with legal Expertise.
