The head of Ford Ireland is retiring after 43 years with the company. Mr Eddie Nolan, chairman and chief executive, announced his decision yesterday.

Mr Nolan said yesterday he was leaving at a time of great prosperity for Ford and the motor industry in Ireland.

"When I assumed the role of chairman and managing director almost 14 years ago, the market was a depressed one. Back then you could not have envisaged the boom in registrations in the past five years."

Mr Nolan joined as an office clerk in 1958 and progressed through the company's management apprenticeship programme.