Actor and director Richie Ryan called for “consistency” at Limerick city’s only theatre venue and asked if Mr Wallace had been given a short contract and where the post was advertised.

He said that it had taken four years to install an artistic director at the Belltable and he was disappointed that Mr Wallace had left after a short tenure.

“An artistic director needs a few years to establish a policy. You don’t see people vacating their positions at the Irish Chamber Orchestra or Daghda Dance Company as regularly. The boards of these organisations must be held accountable and the arts community in Limerick is very concerned.”

“The job was advertised in the Irish Times, the Limerick Leader, Arts Professional in the UK and on the Theatre Forum website and our own website. We have several applicants and the process of interviewing and filling the post is ongoing. We expect to fill the post as quickly as possible.”

He said Mr Wallace had a three year contract.

“The Castle is far larger than the Belltable and Karl will also have producing and directing duties, which is part of his background in theatre companies like Kibosh.  We wish him well.”

Mr Ryan said that the Belltable and Island Theatre Company are in “limbo land” without an artistic director and a CEO respectively and called on both publicly funded organisations to clarify the situation.

“What exactly is happening at this time? Karl Wallace and Alice Kennelly, both from the UK, have within a short time resigned from their positions. We are entitled to know what is going on.”

A spokesperson for Island confirmed that the CEO had resigned and emphasised that the recruitment process was in motion with details due to be announced shortly.

Mr McNamara said that the Belltable is moving forward and hopes to welcome Island's new production in Spring 2008.

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