News

Murco: Management buyout ‘potential’

Published

12 years ago

June 2, 2014

crabby

THE HEAD of Murphy’s Oil UK operations has stepped aside to pursue the acquisition of the company’s ailing Milford Haven refinery and retail business, a source close to the company said on Monday (May 19).

Murco, Murphy’s British subsidiary, has been engaged for months in talks with several parties on the sale of the 135,000 barrelsper- day refinery and its assets. Murco Managing Director Tom McKinlay told employees on Friday he was taking a leave of absence. Brian Kelly, currently head of Murphy’s business development in West Africa, the Middle East and Britain, will replace him and lead Murco’s negotiations with the potential buyers, the source said. “Tom McKinlay has taken a leave of absence because he is pursuing a management buyout in order to maintain integrity of process,” the source said. A possible management buyout is the latest twist in Murphy’s four year-long quest to sell its downstream assets in Britain. The Milford Haven plant stopped purchasing crude oil last month and is in the process of reducing its operations as stockpiles are expected to run out by next week, a second source said. The Pembrokeshire Herald understands that after a plant is completely shut, restarting it typically becomes prohibitively expensive. Besides McKinlay’s interest, other potential bidders include private equity fund Greyb

ull Capital and Swiss industrial group Klesch, the first source said. McKinlay is in the process of trying to get the funding for a possible buyout, the first source said. Greybull was in advanced stages of talks with Murco in March to buy the plant and associated assets for around $500 million. Stephen Crabb MP told The Herald: “The management buyout adds to the list of potential buyers who all have serious proposals to purchase the plant.” “But there’s a narrow time frame for a deal to be completed, which is why I have been speaking to Murphy senior management in Arkansas, to seek to better understand their position – as well as urging UK and Welsh Government Ministers to do all they can to help to secure a deal.” Paul Davies AM said: “I’m hopeful that talks are optimistic, given that there are three potential buyers who are seriously interested in the refinery. I’m given to understand that the next few days will be vital in delivering a positive outcome for Murco and the local community. “I have been communicating with the Welsh Government, who as we know has set up a task force to secure the future of refinery operations and safeguard the longterm future of jobs at the plant. It’s crucial that we all work together to help secure the sustainability of this refinery for years to come.” Report by Ron Bousso

News

St Davids Cathedral marked Easter Sunday with full day of worship

Published

1 hour ago

April 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FROM dawn vigil to choral evensong, the cathedral welcomed worshippers for one of the most important days in the Christian calendar

ST DAVIDS Cathedral marked Easter Sunday (Apr 5) with a full programme of worship, music and celebration.

The day began at 6:00am with the Easter Vigil at the West Front and Nave, sung by the Vicars Choral and Choral Scholars. The service included the lighting of the Easter candle, readings and the first Eucharist of Easter morning.

Worship continued later in the morning with Holy Eucharist at the High Altar at 8:00am, followed by Cymun y Plwyf in the Lady Chapel at 9:30am.

The main Easter Day service took place at 11:00am in the Nave with a Choral Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Choir. The service featured Easter hymns and music, with the Bishop presiding and preaching.

The cathedral’s Easter Sunday celebrations concluded at 4:00pm with Choral Evensong in the Nave, again sung by the Cathedral Choir.

The programme formed part of St Davids Cathedral’s observance of Holy Week and the First Week of Easter, with worshippers and visitors gathering for one of the most significant days in the Church calendar.

Community

Johnston FC pays tribute after sudden death of Rhyan Nolan, 27

Published

2 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Community rallies around grieving family as club honours much-loved player at weekend fixture

JOHNSTON FC paid an emotional tribute at the weekend to Rhyan Nolan after his sudden death at the age of 27.

The club marked the occasion with a flawlessly observed minute’s silence before kick-off, as both teams, officials and supporters came together in his memory.

A signed match ball and Rhyan’s much-worn number ten shirt, covered in messages from team-mates and friends, were also prepared to be handed to his family, who were present for the tribute.

The death of Rhyan has sent shockwaves through the local community, with many gathering around his loved ones in the days since the devastating news emerged.

A fundraiser set up on GoFundMe says his family received the heartbreaking news on Monday that they had lost their “precious, loving son and brother” suddenly at such a young age.

The appeal names his close family as Nichola, Shamus, Brandon, Callum and Lilly, and says relatives are hoping to ease the financial burden while giving Rhyan the send-off he deserves.

It states: “Rhyan deserves a celebration of his short life.”

Johnston FC said it had been a difficult week for all those who knew and loved him, but said it had also been heartwarming to see such an outpouring of love at the match.

The club thanked everyone who helped make the tribute possible, along with those who had sent messages of support and donated towards helping the family.

Photographs shared after the game showed the scale of the moment, with both sides lined up in silence and the orange number ten shirt left covered in handwritten tributes.

For many in attendance, it was a powerful and deeply personal farewell to a young man clearly held in enormous affection.

A GoFundMe appeal has now been launched to support the Nolan family.

Crime

Neyland man spared immediate jail over aggravated vehicle taking

Published

2 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant given a suspended prison sentence after magistrates heard the offence was serious enough to cross the custody threshold

KRISTIAN DAVIES, aged 35, of Rock Cottages, Neyland, pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court to aggravated vehicle taking.

The court heard that on January 26, 2026, at Narberth, Davies took a Ford Focus without the consent of the owner or other lawful authority. The vehicle was damaged before it was recovered, with the damage assessed at less than £5,000.

Magistrates sentenced Davies on Tuesday (Mar 31) to 18 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

The bench said the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, citing Davies’ relevant previous convictions and the fact he was already subject to a court order at the time, which he is now in breach of.

However, the prison term was suspended because the court found there were real prospects of rehabilitation in the community.

Davies was also made subject to an 18-month supervision requirement, a non-residential drug rehabilitation requirement with reviews, and up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

As part of the order, he must engage with Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service and provide samples for a 12-month period.

He was also banned from driving for 24 months.

The first review hearing is due to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on April 27 at 10:00am. Bail conditions were cancelled as a matter of urgency.