Hegarty’s are the demolition kings

Hegarty Demolition Ltd is renowned throughout the country for providing an efficient and top quality service to its vast customer base. Plant manager David Richardson spoke to Irish Trucker about how the company has sustained its reputation for over three decades.

David is better placed than most to explain the reasons for the success of Hegarty Demolition Ltd as he has been with the civil engineering firm for the past 34 years.
Hegarty’s head office is located in Rathfarnham, while the plant yard is situated in Newcastle, Co. Dublin and this is where David performs his duties.

“My role within the company is to oversee all the plant equipment, which includes buying new equipment, making sure it is kept maintained and just generally organising what machinery is needed on specific jobs,” said David.
The company was established by Sean Hegarty and he is still involved in the firm, while managing director Liam Hogan oversees the day-to-day running of the business, which sees work take place all over the country.
Initially, when Sean started the business, it specialised in earth moving, but over the years Hegartys’ have diversified into demolition work and under pinning.

“Underpinning is the process of strengthening and stabilising the foundation of an existing building or other structure. It may be necessary for a variety of reasons.”
Of course, Health and Safety is a major issue within the company and all involved pride themselves going that extra mile to ensure their workers safety.
“Health and Safety is a priority with us and we have specialised equipment with regards to that. Among some of the machinery we have, there is a 20 metre high reach excavator for those awkward jobs, while we also have cutter crusher equipment and rock breaking equipment.
“We are also one of the few companies in the country that two remote control electric diggers that are used to minimise the risk factor created by diesel fumes caused by diesel engines and these are used in confined spaces where the fumes can sometimes become overwhelming.”

David revealed that the company was involved in a couple of big projects at present at Spencer Dock and the Point Depot in Dublin, while in the last few years Hegartys have added construction work to its list of services.
“We are very busy at the moment and have many projects on the go. The job in Spencer Dock is an impressive project that will set new standards for both distinctive offices and luxury waterside apartments. Spencer Dock will be extremely well serviced by a range of high quality public transport, facilitating easy access throughout the city and beyond. It is also the site for the National Conference Centre and its associated 5-star hotel.
“There is also major redevelopment being done on the Point Depot and it’s getting a total revamp. We have been involved in selective demolition and façade retention work there.

“A few years ago, we got involved in construction work and are currently involved in building an apartment block in Tallaght. This is a small area of the business, but is progressing steadily.”
As the plant machinery is kept going all the time, it is essential that the equipment is well maintained and David admitted that it was upgraded on a regular basis.
“We usually change the equipment every couple of years. This keeps down on maintenance work, but most of the small jobs, we do ourselves anyway.”

Hegarty Demolition purchase a lot of its plant equipment from a number of dealers including Caterpillar Volvo, but to name just a few and are pleased with the service provided by all dealers.
“Technology has become a greater part of servicing or maintaining any piece of plant and you need to know about diagnostics, so for any of the bigger maintenance work we usually go back to the dealer that we purchased the equipment off in the first place.”
Hegarty Demolition Ltd employ in the region of 150 people depending on how busy they are and the majority of the employees have been with them many years.
“I’ve been here 34 years now and find them very good to work for and a lot of the lads have been with them for many years, which is a good reflection on the company.”

As Hegartys are involved in mostly commercial and industrial projects, David admitted that the slow down in the housing boom has not affected them.
“We have a good bit of work ahead of us at the moment and you’d never know when the next contract would be starting, but there certainly hasn’t been any ease up in the work that we are doing.”
Hegarty Demolition Ltd has an excellent reputation in its field of expertise and the aim is to continue that for the foreseeable future.