‘My heart goes out’ to Grenfell victims, says Shane Lowry after ditching Kingspan sponsorship

Irishman did not respond to previous calls to end ‘deeply offensive’ deal from the bereaved and survivors of the 2017 fire

Former Open champion Shane Lowry has said his “heart goes out” to the families of the victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy after ending his partnership with construction firm Kingspan a week after the publication of the report into the fire.
The Ryder Cup player had come under pressure to end his sponsorship deal with the Irish building materials company after the blaze in west London, that killed 72 people in June 2017.
Asked before this week’s Irish Open about cutting ties with Kingspan, Lowry initially declined to add any further comment to his statement on Tuesday.
Pressed on whether he could have made the decision sooner, Lowry added: “I can’t imagine what those families have gone through the last few years.
“I’m not going to sit here and talk too much about it, it’s obviously a touchy subject and my heart goes out to them.”
The final report of the Grenfell Inquiry, published last week, said the tower block was covered in combustible products because of the “systematic dishonesty” of firms who made and sold the cladding and insulation.
Kingspan had, from 2005 and even after the inquiry began after of the fire, “knowingly created a false market in insulation” for use on buildings over 18 metres tall (59ft), it said.
The Grenfell inquiry concluded that though the cladding on the outside of the tower was “primarily responsible” for the fire’s rapid spread, other products, including Kingspan’s K15 insulation “made a contribution” as they did not comply with guidance on flammable material for use in high-rises.
The report found Kingspan had used “dishonest strategies” and had shown a “complete disregard” for fire safety over a number of years.
Lowry had been under pressure to end the sponsorship deal after a spokesman for Grenfell United criticised the golfer for ignoring requests to address the issue.
Ed Daffarn, a member of the Grenfell United group of families, told The Guardian that Lowry had a “deeply offensive” Kingspan logo on the sleeve of his golf shirts.
On Tuesday evening, the group said: “We first presented Shane Lowry with the inquiry’s evidence three years ago, so we are pleased he has made the right decision to cut ties with Kingspan.
“We now call on all other sports professionals to follow suit and play their part to create a legacy for the 72 innocent lives that were cut short at Grenfell.”
Representatives of golfer Leona Maguire, who is also sponsored by Kingspan, have been asked whether she will continue the partnership. Maguire will play this week in the Solheim Cup, the women’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup, gainst the USA at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia.
Ulster Rugby’s long-term sponsorship deal with Kingspan will also come to an end next year when their current agreement expires.
The bereaved and survivors group previously welcomed the end of Ulster Rugby’s sponsorship deal with Kingspan.
After two decades, Kingspan “signalled its intention” to conclude its association with the club on a phased basis by June 2025.
Ulster Rugby had been criticised for their continuing association with the firm.
Earlier this week, Irish deputy premier Micheál Martin said it is for the UK authorities to pursue companies over the fire.
Mr Martin was responding to comments by former UK housing secretary Michael Gove that criminal prosecutions should be brought against Grenfell Tower cladding firms, including the Ireland-based firm.
Mr Martin said he was “surprised” by Mr Gove’s comments, which were reported in The Sunday Times at the weekend.
Mr Gove claimed attempts to punish Kingspan, Arconic and Celotex when he was in government had been blocked by “bureaucracies”.