Unions at Youghal Carpet Yarns are set to meet with management today in a bid to reverse last Friday's decision to close down the plant at Kilacloyne, near Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, with the loss of 260 jobs. Workers are hoping the Government will intervene to avert the closure of the plant which manufactures raw material for carpets for US and European markets.

Cork Labour Party Councillor, John Mulvihill, claimed Tánaiste, Mary Harney's announcement about re-training workers at the plant was a "cop out" on behalf of the Government. "Basically, you have highly skilled people in their fifties who are being thrown on the scrap heap. We already have high unemployment in this area and now more are being expected to sign on the dole."

Cllr Mulvihill accused the Government of making every effort to save jobs in the high-tech industry but repeatedly ignoring the needs of companies such as Youghal Carpets.

Meanwhile, Mandate Union spokesperson, Mr Matty O'Callaghan, said workers have expressed resentment and anger at the abrupt manner in which the plant was shut down.

"These are very dedicated people who were just told that their jobs were gone as of the end of the day. It is going to be a fight to the end to ensure an adequate compensation package is put in place. These people deserve respect." The decision by US management to shut down the plan could have serious repercussions for the general economy of east Cork, which has suffered major closures in recent years.

The loss of Irish Ispat and East Cork Foods has meant local people have little choice but to leave the area to gain employment. Youghal Carpets, which once employed more than 1,000 people, has until now remained a major employer in east Cork and contributed an estimated €5 million annually to Carrigtwohill and surrounding areas.