Willie Oliver, currently national chairman of the Road Haulage Association and managing director of Oliver Transport Services, said: "O'Kane Transport is a very well run business with a wide customer base specialising in abnormal loads. In addition, the general haulage side of the business includes a UK-wide refrigerated traffic operation."

Oliver Transport has always focused mainly on the Irish market and this latest development has given us a massive opportunity to expand.
"Today's haulage industry is tougher than it's ever been, but we firmly believe there is still profitable business out there", said Mr Oliver.

"O'Kanes already operates 20 vehicles and nothing much will change there. However, I am particularly pleased that not only will all of the staff will be joining us, we will still retain the O'Kane name.
"It takes a long time to build a good reputation in this business and O'Kane Transport is a perfect example of this.

"We have known for some time that Patsy and Jean O'Kane wished to retire and as we were looking to acquire increased market share it seemed sensible to talk to them. The takeover has gone very smoothly and we wish both of them a long and happy retirement."