SHE HAS SPENT two series as a Dragon, but now Norah Casey is saying goodbye to the den.

The business owner and broadcaster has announced today that she won’t be signing on to take part in the forthcoming new series of Dragons’ Den because of her media and business commitments. She had recently taken on the role of co-anchor of Newstalk Breakfast alongside Chris Donoghue in September.

Earlier this month, she joined the new RTÉ afternoon show Today, where she is co-hosting alongside Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh.

Speaking today, Casey said she was “absolutely certain this is the right decision for me at this time in my life”.

I have really enjoyed my time as a Dragon. It is an excellent programme that has done so much for entrepreneurs and businesses in Ireland. I wish my fellow Dragons and the team at ShinAwil all the very best for 2013.

She said that combined commitments to her publishing company, Harmonia (home of Irish Tatler, Women’s Way and U Magazine, amongst others,) as well as her
other radio and television work, means that she “couldn’t give the time and energy required to Dragons’ Den”.

Casey added that she enjoys working with the investments she has made during her time in the Den, and intends to continue to explore new investment opportunities in 2013. “I am also working on new media projects which will complement my busy schedule,” said Casey.

The businesswoman noted that her personal circumstances have changed over the past year, and that her fellow directors in Harmonia “have taken a stronger role in the day to day operations of the business to allow me to pursue my media career”.

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