Neeson: ‘Get to work and promote province’

Before Hollywood stardom. Neeson (centre row) third from left with colleagues from Murphy's Bottlers, Ballymena on a 'works outing' to Dublin in the early 70s.

Brought up in the mixed, working class Demesne estate, the famous actor did not enjoy any silver spoon treatment.

And that’s why North Antrim MP Ian Paisley believes that the support voiced by the ‘Taken’ and ‘Schindler’s List’ star for hundreds of workers who are facing redundancy at Michelin has come at a vital time.

Neeson offered his sympathies to those affected and urged the Northern Ireland Executive to use the devastating news as a springboard to get down to serious work in promoting the province.

Liam Neeson with his old work colleague, former Mayor of Ballymena, Ald. P. J. McAvoy before his 'Freedom of Ballymena' ceremony.

Mr Paisley commented: “Having this morning secured a debate in the House of Commons about the closure (scheduled for Tuesday 17th), the support of influential figures such as Liam will go a long way to keeping this awful news in the public eye.

In an interview with the Sun newspaper, the 63 year old ‘Taken’ star said: “I know the Michelin bosses will do all they can to facilitate the workforce in this their hour of need and compensate them accordingly.”

Mr Paisley added: “The closure and loss of 860 jobs in Northern Ireland is the equivalent of 25,000 jobs being lost in England, a catastrophic figure that the government must recognise in its devastating capacity.”

Mr Neeson concluded: “All the more reason for the Executive in Northern Ireland to really get to work now and promote the province.