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IMMEDIATE: Thursday 24th April, 2014.
Bill Cullen breaks down on Ireland AM speaking about deaths of his brother and sister.
Businessman Bill Cullen and partner Jackie Lavin appeared on Ireland AM this morning to speak about their new car dealership Bill Cullen Premier Motors.
Ireland AM airs Monday to Friday from 7am – 10.45am on TV3.
Click here to view the segment on 3Player.
Businessman Bill Cullen and partner Jackie Lavin appeared on Ireland AM this morning to speak about their new car dealership ‘Bill Cullen Premier Motors’ on the Naas Road. Bill also spoke about the collapse of his business empire when his Renault dealership went into receivership in 2012 and how he does not deem this as a personal failure. He became visibly upset when speaking about the deaths of his brother Aidan and his sister Rita in the same year. Bill said:
“I don't take it as a personal failure. I could blame myself for doing things I shouldn't have done, which was giving the banks everything we had and signing personal guarantees I never thought would ever come to match but it did and that certainly hurt. The bigger thing then was the death of my sister and brother.”
Bill’s partner Jackie interjected as he became upset while speaking about the sensitive topic.
“His brother died, just literally a week after the business was taken, from serious stress. He just had a heart attack at home one evening and it’s Bill's youngest brother, he was only 54 and he left a widow and two lovely girls.
“That put it [losing the business] into perspective to be honest.”
Bill then continued to explain how stress had a detrimental effect on his brother Aidan.
“The stress on him was just too much and he just couldn’t take it. He was going to inherit the business he was running for me out in Swords.
“That's what killed him.”
Speaking about how the couple made it through such a difficult period, Jackie explained that her mental strength played a huge factor.
“It is just mental strength. It’s who you are but you can learn it and I suppose you can garner it, when things are down that’s when you really get to know what you’re made of.”
Bill said:
“It’s about confidence. It’s about energy. It’s about working very hard. You know me I get up very early.”
Click here to view the segment on 3Player.
Ireland AM airs Monday to Friday from 7am – 10.45am on TV3.
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