Construction jobs go as firm closes

Up to 180 jobs have been lost with the closure of a specialist construction firm in west Cork, it was confirmed tonight.

The management of Delta Off-Site Solutions said it had made strenuous efforts over the past six weeks to secure additional investment for the company, which manufactured kitchen and bathroom units.

A spokeswoman said it had no alternative but to close after the plans of two potential investors had fallen through.

The company had temporarily laid off employees last month, citing the pushing back of planned projects from August until later in the year.

The company, which manufactures bathroom and kitchen pods for the construction industry, was founded in 2002 and had a turnover of €17m in 2004.

Managing director Patrick O’Callaghan, who was named Emerging Entrepreneur of The Year in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2004, had spoken of growing demand for the firm’s off-site modular units as recently as May 200