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500 more Northern textile jobs to go

Northern Ireland-based clothing firm Desmonds has announced that it is to lay off almost 500 workers as it closes three factories. The company is a sole supplier to the Marks and Spencer chain.

The factories in question are at Omagh in Co Tyrone, Swatragh in Co Derry and Irvinestown in Co Fermanagh. 229 redundancies will be made in Omagh, 130 in Swatragh and 115 in Irvinestown.

The announcement comes just three months after the firm ended production in Springtown and Dungiven in Co Derry with the loss of 300 jobs.

In a statement, the company said it has been experiencing operating losses at the three factories and must take action to stay competitive. As with the previous closures, work currently carried out in the North is being moved to plants owned by the company abroad.