Roche closure could cause ‘loss of trade to many businesses’ says local councillor

The loss of 240 jobs at a pharmaceutical company in Co Clare is being described as a major blow to the entire Munster Region.

Roche has said it will shut its operations in Clarecastle on a phased basis between 2018 and 2019.

Attempts to transfer the plant to a global pharma services company have been unsuccessful.

Clarecastle Fine Gael Councillor Paul Murphy has said it will have a huge impact on the local and wider economy.

“There were people travelling from all over the county, all over the province of Munster, Co Galway, Co Kerry, everywhere,” said Murphy.

“It’s going to have a domino effect, the lose of those wages that’s going to hit everybody. That’s going to hit the retail sector, it’s going to be a massive loss of earnings and loss of trade to many businesses.”