Green Isle to close plant with loss of 78 jobs

GREEN ISLE Foods is to close its fish breading facility in Boyle, Co Roscommon, resulting in the loss of up to 78 jobs.

Management has started consultations with the workforce and it is envisaged that the breading operation in Boyle will cease by early September 2006 and will be transferred to one of the group’s British locations.

The breading facility in Boyle is part of Green Isle’s Irish business, which produces the Donegal Catch brand of convenience fish products.

However, the group’s primary processing, procurement, quality control, R&D, sales and marketing, and brand development will continue at Green Isle’s operations in Gurteen and Naas.

Managing director of Green Isle Foods Kieran Carolan said the announcement followed “an extensive review of the cost structure of Green Isle’s fish business, which continues to be successful and to employ more than 120 people in Ireland”.

“However, we have taken this regrettable but unavoidable decision and this action positions the business for the long-term, on a more competitive footing.”

The move was essential if the remaining 120 jobs were to be safeguarded, Mr Carolan said.