Drinks firm donated £4,000 after MLA arranged meeting

A DRINKS company with a manufacturing operation in Sion Mills donated £4,000 to the local branch of the SDLP after an MLA helped secure a meeting between the firm and Invest NI.

The meeting, organised by Daniel McCrossan, took place between the Mulrine’s company and Invest NI on August 19, 2021, and then the £4,000 donation to the West Tyrone branch was registered on August 28.

Invest NI subsequently offered a potential grant of up to £486,000 to support new jobs at the Sion Mills plant.

Co Donegal-based Mulrines produces oat drinks and fruit juice products at their Tyrone facility, which is now in operation at the old Herdmans Mill in Sion.

Some 54 new jobs were created at the site, with average salaries in the mid £20,000 range.

Peter Mulrine, director of Mulrines publically thanked the West Tyrone MLA for his efforts in helping to secure the investment.

He said, “Daniel offered his assistance and support at a very early stage, and showed his determination to help with the various site issues that arose to create the platform that will deliver these jobs for his community. We are very grateful for his vital efforts.”

The donation information was released by Invest NI following a Freedom of Information request by the Belfast Telegraph.

There have been no suggestions of any impropriety on the part of Mr McCrossan, Invest NI, or Mulrines. In a statement to the UH, the SDLP has said that all donations the party receives are declared, including this one.

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said, “The SDLP declares all donations transparently in line with obligations under electoral law.

“I was also totally transparent about dealings with both Mulrines and Invest NI in the hopes of securing investment at the old Herdman’s Mill site.

“I worked alongside Mulrines on this project for a number of years in order to deliver a significant number of well-paying jobs to Sion Mills, an area that was crying out for them, with the potential to expand in future.

“Invest NI, themselves, acknowledged their financial commitment came after I made representations to them about this project, and Mulrines are on the record thanking me for my efforts.”

Invest NI added, “The involvement of a political representative has no bearing on any decision to support a project or investment.

“All decisions to offer support to a company are based on robust business plans independently assessed by a casework panel in line with our funding principles.

“Invest NI is not, nor would have reason to be, privy to the political affiliations or donations made by companies to political parties.”