Jackie Leonard and his sons run a fruit and vegetable business but when work is done it is family that matters.

The Victorian fruit and vegetable market in Smithfield was established in 1892. Ever since then, the Leonard family has run a wholesale and retail fruit and vegetable business. In 1983 Jackie Leonard inherited the family business from his father Jack and renamed the company Jackie Leonard and Sons.

Jackie Leonard's sons Justin and Derek have followed in his footsteps. Derek was always interested in joining the family business, but Justin considered other professions. In the end, he took his dad’s advice,

Stick with us, you’ll do better in the long run.

Joining the family business means Jackie Leonard is the boss. While working for a parent might pose problems for some children, Derek and Justin respect their father’s instinct and vast experience.

Whatever he says goes, we’ll always accept it, it’s very seldom he’s wrong, if ever.

Jackie Leonard might be the boss during the working day but,

When we leave at three o’clock, I’m their dad, but I'm their dad all the time.

The Leonards have worked hard to build up customer trust. In their line of business, Derek Leonard knows any festering arguments could damage this valuable client relationship. He always makes sure any arguments at work are resolved by the end of the day. Therefore business disagreements never spill over into family life.

For Justin Leonard working with your family means somebody always has your back,

Family will never steer you wrong and they always want to see you get on and they’ll always help you get on.

He adds,

We’re always there for each other.

This episode of 'Family Matters' was broadcast on 30 March 1994. The reporter is Kieran Fitzgerald.

'Family Matters’ was a television magazine programme that looked at the changing face of Irish family life. It was presented by husband-and-wife team Sean O’Rourke and Caroline Murphy. The first episode of ‘Family Matters’ was broadcast on 7 October 1992. It ran for three series on RTÉ Television until 12 April 1995.