We have received the sad news that Michael Killeen, the founder of Laois Hire in Ireland and chief executive of HSS Hire Ireland has died.
He passed away peacefully on Monday, surrounded by his family, following a short illness, he was – we understand - in his mid to late 60s. He leaves behind wife Maureen and son Mike, along with two grandchildren.
Killeen’s father john, was a well known hurler from Galway but moved to Portlaoise and set up an equipment rental company and land reclamation business in Laois at the start of the 1960s. Having worked alongside his father for several years, in 1989 he and his wife Maureen decided to set up their own rental business for tools and small equipment, which became Laois Hire, formally registering the company in 1992. Over the next 15 years they built it into one of the largest players in the Irish equipment rental industry. In those early days Michael worked as delivery driver, warehouse manager and mechanic, while Maureen manned the hire desk and handled the administration.
The Laois Hire business was acquired by UK based HSS in 2005 for around €5 million, with the two remaining on board to manage the business. Then in 2021 Laois Hire was acquired by Briggs for €11.2 million. Michael then served as managing director of HSS Hire Ireland and Scotland. In April HSS Ireland was acquired by the Irish builders merchant group Chadwicks for €31.6 million.
Killeen was well known for being a hardworking and astute business man and was widely respected not only in his industry but locally, if not nationally. The couple also sponsored the Portlaoise Senior Hurlers later becoming a major sponsor of the Portlaoise GAA club for many years, having helped rescue it at one point. Michael Killeen was always passionate about machinery the land nature and animals and loved to keep fit, riding his bike and keeping active. Those who had dealings with him have said he was always a fair and honest businessman
A funeral service will be held at Saint Peter and Paul’s Church, Portlaoise at 11:00 on Thursday morning and will be available on the Church webcam. HSS Ireland has also announced that its branches will close on this day as a mark of respect. The service will be followed by a private family cremation. Family flowers only.
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