A number of Donegal people have lost their jobs after leading employer Abbott Ireland announced 180 job losses at its Sligo plant.
The jobs are to be lost at the company’s plant at Ballytivnan in Sligo Town over the next 12 months.
Abbott is one of the major employers in Sligo Town with 300 employees at the plant which opened in 1974.
It is hoped many of the losses will be through voluntary redundancies.
Business leaders and locals were shocked by the announcement which came as a complete surprise.
Management at the company announced it is to streamline its global nutrition business.
Workers leaving the plant this afternoon declined to comment on the news.
Abbott management say they have no comment to make, aside from a statement which has been issued to the media
The Chairperson of Sligo County Council, Cllr Veronica Cawley said he hoped the remaining 120 jobs at the plant are secure.
“I hope there will be no more losses from the remaining positions at the plant.
“Abbott has been a model employer in Sligo for many decades and I know decision could not have been taken easily,” he said.
The IDA have also declined to comment on the matter.
Reacting in the past few minutes, Sligo Fianna Fail Senator, Marc MacSharry, said it was devastating news for the locality, and the Taoiseach and Minister for Jobs need to speak out on the matter.
Sinn Fein Deputy for Sligo and North Leitrim Michael Colreavy said he was very disappointed at the news.
“It is a major blow not just to those working in Abbott but to the entire community who depend on these jobs.
“I just hope that these people will get fair redundancy packages. I am also calling on the Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton to ensure he can do all he can to attract an alternative industry into this area.
“These jobs will be missed and need to be replaced as soon as possible,” he said
Abbot says is remains committed to Ireland and currently employs around 4,000 people across 13 different sites across the country.
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