Fitzpatrick’s recovery ltd. - the breakdown specialists

Fitzpatrick’s Recovery Ltd is one of Ireland’s leading vehicle breakdown recovery operations. Established in Cork 12 years ago by John Fitzpatrick, the company provides a 24-hour nationwide service and is an approved agent for such reputable names as AA, Green Flag and RAC.

John Fitzpatrick and his staff offer a 24 hour breakdown service

With 14 recovery vehicles on the road, Fitzpatrick’s Recovery Ltd provides one of the most prompt and efficient breakdown recovery services in Ireland.
From humble beginnings, the Cork-based company has grown into a major concern and you are liable to see one of its recovery vehicles attending to a breakdown anywhere in Ireland. Fitzpatrick’s Recovery is an approved agent for breakdown organisations such as AA, RAC, Green Flag and Mondial, and provides a 24-hour service with distance no object. The company is also a member of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
“If there’s a breakdown or a road traffic accident, we try to get to the scene as quickly as possible,” says John Fitzpatrick, managing director of Fitzpatrick’s Recovery Ltd.

“We operate a shift service. We have four drivers on duty from 4pm to midnight, and two on duty throughout the night. We bring the broken-down vehicle back to our premises unless the owner specifies somewhere else.”
John identified a need for his service while working as an emergency medical technician with the ambulance service and 12 years ago, Fitzpatrick’s Recovery Ltd was formed. He explains: “The idea to set up the company came to me when I was in the ambulance service.

“When we were called out to accidents, I noticed that, apart from the guards, there was no-one to take the crashed vehicles away. They might have been left on the side of the road for a day or two afterwards.
“I had been recovering vehicles on a part-time basis for three years before I decided to go at it full-time. Having served my time as a mechanic, I had a fair knowledge of the business and thankfully I haven’t had any regrets about making the choice I did.”

The growth of John’s business has coincided with the huge increase in the uptake of breakdown insurance.
“Because nearly everyone has breakdown cover now, we’re never short of work. I’ve noticed a big increase in business over the past seven or eight years. In that time, we’ve spread our wings to the extent that we are now providing a nationwide service. Whether it’s light or heavy recovery, it’s no problem to us.
“There has been a massive growth in this business in recent years. Before breakdown insurance became popular, someone that had a breakdown would invariably ask a friend or neighbour to give them a tow. They weren’t covered to do this, but in a lot of cases, they had no other means of taking the vehicle away.”

John O'Reilly is manager of Fitzpatrick's Recovery

Most of the vehicles which are recovered by John and his team are taken to his storage facility at North Esk Business Park in Glanmire. This impressive facility comprises 18,000 sq ft of fully secure, CCTV covered storage suitable for cars, vans and trucks. John has a second storage facility in Togher, which is also alarmed and has CCTV.
After the vehicle is recovered, an assessor evaluates the damage. If the vehicle is deemed to be an ELV (End of Life Vehicle), Fitzpatrick’s Recovery holds a waste transport permit which allows for it to be taken to the breaker’s yard. “We’re one of only a handful of companies that has this permit,” John points out.

Fitzpatrick’s fleet of recovery vehicles includes seven tilt and slides with second car lift, three Isuzu NQR Singles with car lift, and an Iveco 65170 which is also equipped with a car lift. For heavy recovery, Volvo, Man and Iveco HGVs are called into action. Three vans are also used for general breakdowns – two Renault Traffics and one Renault Master.
John employs a staff of 14. This figure includes six drivers who also double up as mechanics. “The only repair work we carry out is to our own vehicles. We don’t do repairs for anyone else. If we tried to combine the two (repair and breakdown recovery), something would surely suffer. By concentrating on one area, I feel we are able to provide a better service to our customers,” he says.

Fitzpatrick's Recovery is an approved agent for AA, RAC and Green Flag

Fitzpatrick’s Recovery Ltd boasts an impressive list of clients in the Cork area, including AOC Commercials, D Dennehy Motors (both Carrigtwohill), McCarthy’s of Watergrasshill, Kevin O’Leary Motor Group, Lee Autos, Lee Garage, Wilton Motors and PJ O’Heas.

While kept busy all-year round, John is at his busiest between the months of October and March.
“They’re our peak months. More accidents take place when it’s wet than at any other time. A lot of motorists don’t seem to realise how poor the road conditions can be in wet weather. At least when the roads are icy, they usually slow down.
A native of Blackpool on the north side of Cork city, John now lives with his wife Cathy and three children Cliona, Sean and Ciaran in Lehenaghmore, Togher - not far from Cork International Airport. Despite the success of his business, he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

“Like any company, we’re always aiming to expand and improve our service. We’ve come a long way over the past few years and hopefully we’ll continue to do well and keep our customers happy,” he concludes.

Fitzpatrick’s Recovery Ltd can be contacted by phone on 021-4297460 or
mobile 087-2500789
086-2500789
Fax: 021-4297458.
Email: office@fitzpatricksrecovery.ie