A textile company in East Cork is to close with the loss of 40 jobs.
Seafield Technical Textiles had been in business in Youghal for 15 years. The company manufactured fabric for workwear and luggage. It will begin winding down almost immediately and will be closed by the end of the year. Management has blamed the closure on competition from low-cost economies.
The Fine Gael TD for the area, David Stanton, has said this is the third time Youghal has suffered significant job losses in recent years. He appealed to the Government to secure replacement industry for the town.
The Minister for Trade and Commerce, Michael Ahern, has expressed his disappointment at the job losses.
'This news will come as a severe blow to the workforce and their families', the Minister said. 'My sense of disappointment is heightened by the fact that I have many friends who are members of the staff and have been with the company for many years'.
