200 jobs to be created by Irish software firm

An Irish-owned software company has announced the creation of 200 jobs.

Openet Telecom said the jobs will be created in Ireland, Europe and the US by the end of 2002.

The expansion follows recent major contract wins in Europe and America.

The news comes as fears grow that Compaq will begin lay offs.

The Texas-based computer maker is slashing its global workforce by 5,000 because of a downturn in profits.

2,000 staff are employed by Compaq in Dublin, Cork and Belfast.