Sports socks company announces further job cuts

The Sports Socks Company, located in Cahirciveen and Tralee in Co Kerry, is to phase out manufacturing in Ireland with the loss of 165 jobs.

The company, which makes sports socks, is owned by American multinational Kellwood.

Last August, the owners announced they were to close the Cahirciveen manufacturing plant with the loss of 147 jobs.

Meanwhile, all the employees in the Tralee facility were put on protective notice while the company continued to evaluate options for the facility.

In a statement, general manager Stephen Barter said the decision to close the Irish operation was as a result of 'on-going unsustainable business losses, caused by increased costs'.

The company has been in Ireland for over 12 years.