Letterkenny Fastway franchise owner speaks out after company enters into receivership

A BALLYBOFEY man who invested over €20,000 in the Letterkenny franchise of Fastway Couriers said he has been left “high and dry” after the company unexpectedly went into receivership last week.

When Stephen Doherty returned to work last Tuesday after the Bank Holiday, he anticipated a busy day ahead.

However, events took an unexpected turn that evening when a receiver arrived to shut his franchise down.

With just weeks to Christmas, Stephen, like dozens of others in the county, now finds himself frantically searching for new employment.

With bills beginning to pile up, he spoke about the difficult time he is going through.

“We have been left high and dry,” Stephen told the Donegal News.

“It is savage what happened.

“I have already started applying for new jobs.

“The rug was pulled from
under me so I have no other option.”

Before Stephen purchased the local franchise seven years ago, he worked a lay in period of four weeks.

Having not yet received payment for the work, he explained that his unpaid invoices amount to at least €15,000.

“I haven’t received a penny,” Stephen said.

“If that money was coming in, not in one lump sum, but spread out over the four weeks, it would have bought me a bit of time.

“But in this situation, I have to act quickly.

“I have no money coming in and I have bills coming in.”

As Stephen was a franchisee, he is not entitled to redundancy.

However, he spoke of colleagues who were told they could not accept another job for 30 days, and that they might have to wait until February before they receive redundancy payments.

Meanwhile, Charles Ward TD has criticised Fastway for its poor treatment of staff, calling it a “disgrace.”

“I was shocked to hear of the way the workers were treated since the announcement that Fastway Couriers had entered receivership last week,” Deputy Ward said.

“Workers have been left in limbo, with very little communication.

“I have been told that Donegal drivers had only been made aware that their employment was ending when the news broke last Tuesday.”

The 100% Redress Party TD said it is outrageous that workers have been treated in this manner, and the way the situation has been handled is completely unacceptable.

“I stand in solidarity with the workers, and I will be calling on the government to intervene as a matter of urgency,” Deputy Ward concluded.