Deputy Pearse Doherty outside the Largo Foods plant today. Pic by Donegal Daily.
Public representatives have come together to condemn the closure of the Largo Foods plant in Gaoth Dobhair.
Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty has described the closure as a ‘Black Friday’ for its 140 workers.
The Dail Deputy, who lives locally, was reacting to the news released by the company just a short time ago.
The company is to now move its Donegal base to its main plant in Co Meath with 70 workers from Donegal being offered the chance to move there.
Deputy Doherty said “Firstly, I am absolutely devastated for the workers at the plant and their families. Today their worlds have been turned upside down with this news. I know many of the workers personally as friends and neighbours and I am truly saddened by today’s developments.
“This is a black Friday for Gweedore – the scale of this announcement in a small rural area such as ours is massive. This news is not just devastating for the workers in the plant but for the whole community.
“There will be a knock on effect in the local economy with hauliers, suppliers and service providers all being impacted by this announcement.
“In my view, the announcement here today calls for an immediate intervention from the Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton. He needs to come to west Donegal to see the scale of unemployment and the effect it is having on this community. His immediate priority must be to see if any of the current jobs can be retained in the area or to secure another suitable industry at these premises as soon as possible.”
Senator Ó Domhnaill has called on Minister Dinny McGinley to intervene immediately.
“This is the loss of 110 full time jobs and 30 part time jobs in Gaoth Dobhair in a matter of months. It’s a devastating blow for the workers and their families. Many staff have worked there since the company first opened 18 years ago and many have other family members who also work there. They are now wondering what they will do after the summer,” said Senator Ó Domhnaill.
“I am calling on the Minister for the Gaeltacht Dinny McGinley and Údarás na Gaeltachta to intervene immediately. Largo Foods has received millions of euro in State support through Údarás over the years. As a major employer in the Donegal Gaeltacht, it has been well backed with grant aid through Údarás. It’s simply not good enough that it would now shut down with little notice.
“This is no way to treat workers who have been extremely loyal to the company over the years. It’s also a major snub to the State agencies that have supported the company and allowed it to develop and create jobs in North West Donegal. The Minister must meet with company management immediately to establish if the Donegal operation can be salvaged.
“My thoughts are with the workers today as they come to terms with this extremely difficult news. Everything must be done to see if their jobs can be saved,” Senator Ó Domhnaill said.
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