A small business owner in rural Ireland has warned he may be forced to close after the cost of insurance has increased from €7,000 to €30,000 in a single year. Martin Mulligan and his wife Mary have operated Mulligan’s service station on the Roscommon Road in Athlone for the last 40 years. Mr Mulligan said he went through a broker and the quote from the insurance company was the “only quote I could get”. Mr Mulligan said he will now have to put aside €55,000 per year to cover insurance. Along with the insurance hike, there has been a rate increase following a re-evaluation and his post office business has taken a “massive cut” due to changes in his contract.

Source: The Irish Times June 14, 2019 11:37 UTC