LogMeIn to establish base in Ireland

LogMeIn announced in November that it would create 50 jobs in Dublin by establishing its European operations here as part of an IDA-supported investment. It provides remote log-in services, data back-up and file sharing to clients.

"Ireland is part of a long-term strategy for us," Jim Kelliher said.

Mr Kelliher said Ireland was an attractive place for his company to locate due to the talent pool available, "strong university system", "strong infrastructure", a "pro-business environment", and "easy expat relocation". "It's relatively easy to put kids from Boston into Ireland. It's really easy for our people to fit into that environment."

Mr Kelliher was speaking at the Ireland Gateway to Europe 2013 event at the World Trade Centre. This was part of a four-city trade mission to the US by 40 Irish business executives and professional services advisors. It was the second year this event has been organised.

More than 100 delegates signed up to attend the Boston leg but most of the US attendees were absent due to the lockdown in Boston on Friday as the manhunt for the marathon bomb suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was under way.

Speakers from IT companies Hubspot and EMC weren't able to attend, along with delegates from IDA Ireland and the Irish consulate.

"It was disappointing that we had to reformat the event in Boston but the rest of the week was very productive, particularly our time in Silicon Valley," said Matt Mohan, managing director of FKM Group and a co-founder of the Gateway trip.

Other companies participating in the trip included Danske Bank, law firm Byrne Wallace, Sigmar Recruitment, accountants MKO Partners and telco Vodafone.