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Major blow to Donegal Gaeltacht 14.03.14

THE DONEGAL Gaeltacht has suffered a major blow today as Largo Foods announced it would close at the end of the summer with the loss of 142 jobs.
Local politicians expressed shock at the announcement and urged the Government to intervene.
Staff were told at a meeting this afternoon that the Donegal facility which makes Tayto and other well known brands, will close in August. Redundancies will commence as early as May.
Sinn Féin T.D., Pearse 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," said Deputy Doherty.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill said: “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.
“I am calling on the Minister for the Gaeltacht Dinny McGinley and Údarás na Gaeltachta to intervene immediately,” said Senator Ó Domhnaill.
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