Meet the new dragon who hails from Derry
A Derry born businessman has taken one of the five hotseats on RTE’S Dragon’s Den.
Peter Casey is now based in Atlanta but travels back to the city regularly to visit family and keep up with his business interests here.
The son of the late Patsy, a former teacher at Nazareth House and the late Leo, a bursar at St Columb’s College, Peter left Derry for university in Birmingham when he was 17 and since then has gone on to establish successful businesses across three different continents.
The father of five is best known for his high end recruitment firm, Claddagh Resources, which has its European headquarters in Buncrana.
Speaking from his home in Atlanta this week, the Derry ‘dragon’ said he was delighted to be a part of the hit RTE show and had been a big fan as a viewer before taking his seat in the studio.
“My mum Patsy was a big fan of the show and she’d record the episodes and when I was home we’d watch them together. We’d always have wee competitions amongst ourselves about the investments and just have a bit of fun with it,” said the Derry born entrepreneur.
It was a conversation with his brother, well known Derry solicitor Kevin Casey, which first prompted Peter to consider getting involved with the RTE reality show.
“I had been looking out for investments in Ireland and it seemed like a perfect idea, where the potential investments are there lined up for you. My brother-in-law knew someone in the production company which makes the show and we got in touch. Last year after a business trip to Prague I came back via Dublin and had a two hour tv interview and we filmed the series in December past. I’ve really enjoyed the experience and I think we have a great series that viewers will enjoy,” Peter told the Journal. In the opening show, which aired two weeks ago, viewers saw the former St Columb’s College pupil invest 30,000 euro in Starcamps, Ireland’s only nationwide children’s performing summer camp, run by Aideen O’Grady. Dragon’s Den airs on RTE 1, on Sundays at 10.05pm, don’t miss Sunday’s ‘Journal’ for full interview with Peter about his experiences in the Den.
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Weather for Derry
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
