Seagate technology plant in Clonmel, County Tipperary is to shut down with the loss of more than 1,400 jobs.
Seagate, which came to Clonmel in October 1995, is to close its doors after just two years in operation.
This bombshell of an announcement came as a complete shock to the employees of Seagate.
The Seagate plant employs over 1,100 full-time staff and over 350 temporary staff. They are all losing their jobs following the announcement of the plant's closure.
Many of the workers who have mortgages and other financial commitments have been left devastated by the news.
Employee Eamonn O'Donnell describes how the workers heard the devastating news of the closure through television and radio reports.
We're absolutely devastated, every one of us.
Another employee John Slattery explains how he feels let down by his employer having given so much to the company.
Workers were asked to attend an emergency employee meeting this afternoon when they were informed that the full-time staff will be laid off in the first week of January.
Management at Seagate expressed their regret about the closure and loss of jobs. Director of Seagate Peter Knight pointed to challenges of industry conditions and cost increases as a cause of the closure.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 10 December 1997. The reporter is Damien Tiernan.
