A west Limerick poultry processing factory, Kantoher Chickens, is to close with the loss of one hundred and forty jobs.
The company which is part of the Kerry Group said the chicken processing industry had become extremely competitive and that a consolidiation within the industry in Ireland was required.
The announcement came as a shock to both the factory workers and suppliers in Kantoher. Although the company had talked of tight margins, the news of a complete closure was a shock.
Fine Gael's Mr Dan Neville, TD West Limerick, described the job losses as 'devastating" describing it as "a major body blow to the local population".
He said the factory has been a valuable employer and an integral part of a community already experiencing considerable deprivation.
It's understood the suppliers in the area will transfer their production to Western Brand in Mayo.
The Fine Gael TD, who is deputy spokesperson for health, said people in the industry are very insecure in relation to their long-term viability as poultry producers. He called on the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Martin, to "open his eyes to the haemorrhaging of employment from regional communities such as this one before we become a country of ghost towns."